All is set for the semi-finals of Goshen Fam National Women’s Championship at Bingu National Stadium on Friday.
It is an all Lilongwe affairs in this year’s semi-finals after Southern and Northern Region teams were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
There are tasting ties in the semi-finals as all the four teams have scores to settle against each other.
In an early kick off, last year’s runners-up Ascent Academy face Silver Strikers Ladies before paving way for Malawi Defence Force ( MDF) Lionesses and Civil Service United Women.
Ascent eliminated champions Kukoma Ntopwa Women following a 4-0 victory while Silver Ladies defeated Moyale Sisters 3-1 on Wednesday.
Ascent and Silver renew their rivalry this afternoon after sharing fortunes in the regional play offs. Silver Ladies defeated Ascent 3-1 in the first leg at Ascent Ground but the latter won the reverse fixture 3-2 at BNS.
This afternoon’s match provides them with a perfect opportunity to show their superiority over each other. At stake is a place in the final of the competition.
Ascent coach Thom Mkolongo believes this is the chance for his side to win maiden national women’s title.
” This is the final before the actual final. We know Silver Ladies will come hard on us but we are capable of upsetting them. This young group of players is special and on a good day, they will make life difficult for them,” said Mkolongo.
Ascent will be looking to win the competition in their second attempt after they lost 5-3 on post-match penalties to Ntopwa Women following a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.
For Silver Ladies, they have assembled a good squad as well and Coach Andrew Chikhosi is relishing the match against Ascent.
” Ascent beat us in the regional play offs and it was a painful defeat. This is time for revenge,”said Chikhosi.
Silver Ladies will be looking for their second appearance in the final after they lost 3-1 to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women at Civo Stadium in 2022.
In another match, Lionesses straight from their 4-1 victory over Bullets Women in the quarter-finals face Civil Women in the semi-finals.
Civil Women reached the semi-finals after thrashing MK Academy 6-0 on Wednesday. But Civil have scores to settle against Lionesses after they lost 3-0 in the first round before a 2-1 defeat in the second round of the regional play offs.
Lionesses coach Captain John Kaputa said he has set his sights on winning the competition for the first time.
” We have studied our opponents and our ambitions is to win the competition so that we represent Malawi at Caf Champions League/ Cosafa qualifiers. Success is a journey not a destination,” said Kaputa.
The final and third place play offs will be played on Sunday at the same venue.
