The first Ladies Lilongwe derby in the 2024 Central Region’s Goshen Women’s Football League ended in a 1 all draw on Saturday.
Both sides went into this match unbeaten with Silver Strikers Ladies trailling with 2 points behind Civil Women who topped the standings with 12 points.
The derby was one-sided in the first half as the home team showed more interest to grab a lead but were not sharp enough to find the back of the net. Chikondi Gondwe was close to breaking the deadlock at 30 minutes when she headed a cross by Carol Mathyola but the effort missed the target by an inch.
A minute later, Deborah Henry had only the post to negotiate with as her effort struck the woodwork to let the game go to recess without a goal.
At half time, Silver Strikers Ladies made some changes by taking out Carol Mathyola and Linda Manda for Zeni Duda and Justina Jumbo. The changes brought more energy to the Banker’s side where seventeen minutes later Chikondi Gondwe connected a cross from Tiwonge Phiri to grab the lead.
A minute later, Civo Women leveled matters dramatically after complacency from the goalkeeper that led to Monalia Davie equalizing.
The hosts tried to return to the match through a late substitution which saw Wezzie Mvula paving way for Gladys Banda but to no avail.
In post-match interviews, head coach Andrew Chikhosi said it was an exciting match that his side tried so much to win but luck on goal was not on their side. Chikhosi said he was however okay with the draw.
“It was a great game, a rivalry at best, we told the girls to up their game and find a win however after we scored there was a bit of relaxation at the back and we conceded a silly goal. We have shared spoils and will see how we end the league but not a very bad result as Civo were also good on the ball”, said Chikhosi.
This is the second draw since the start of the league this year as two weeks ago the Area 47 ladies’ side shared spoils with MDF Lioness at Kamuzu Barracks ground.
