MDF Lionesses produced a stunning comeback to hand Silver Strikers Ladies their first defeat of the season, winning 2–1 at Silver Stadium on Monday afternoon and ending the leaders’ perfect run in the NBM Women’s Premiership.
The victory lifts the Lionesses back into third place, reclaiming the position from Mighty Wanderers Queens, who had briefly overtaken them after beating Moyale Sisters 4–0 on Saturday. The result also benefits second-placed Ascent Soccer, who stay within four points of the leaders after their 3–0 win over Topik Academy in Mzuzu.
The match, which was rescheduled from Sunday after heavy rains left the Silver Stadium pitch waterlogged, was played on a wet and muddy surface following showers earlier in the day. Despite the conditions, both teams started with high tempo, giving the derby its expected intensity.
Silver Strikers Ladies were the first to score through the league’s leading scorer, Deborah Henry. Her composed finish in the 29th minute came after sustained pressure and she has now scored against every team in the competition. At the back, the leaders defended well through Ruth Nyirongo, Chikondi Dube and Tionge Phiri, who repeatedly shut down the advances of Lionesses attacker Sabina Thom.
Silver went into the break leading 1–0, but the match shifted in the second half as the Lionesses pushed forward with urgency. Clear chances fell to Ruth Rosemary and Thom, but both failed to convert. The equaliser finally arrived in the 74th minute when Ruth Tambala curled home a brilliant effort after being set up by Mary Major.
The visitors completed their comeback in the 82nd minute when Catherine Kachala connected powerfully from a Sabina Thom corner to score the winner. The goal sealed a memorable victory for the Lionesses and made them the first team this season to stop Silver Strikers Ladies’ remarkable winning run.
