Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Lionesses have set their sights on winning the 2023 Fam National Women’s Championship to qualify for the Caf Women’s Champions League/Cosafa qualifier to be staged in South Africa later this year.
Formed three years ago, Lionesses qualified for the National Women’s Championship, which is slated to take place from April 22 to 28 at Bingu National Stadium, after winning the Central Region Women’s League.
Lionesses General Secretary Anold Nizzah Jere said the team has what it takes to compete at the international stage.
“We want to participate in the Caf Women’s Champions League. We believe that we are ready to represent the country,” Nizzah said.
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The Malawi Army-sponsored outfit will join this year’s Fam National Championship at the quarter-finals stage, alongside champions and second-placed teams from all the three regions.
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However, they will face serial winners FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women.
Defending champions Kukoma Ntopwa, who will face Ascent Academy in the quarterfinals, participated in the Caf Women’s Champions League, which was held in Durban, South Africa.
Ntopwa owner Isaac Jomo Osman said they also have ambitions to play in the Caf Champions League for a second consecutive year.
“We know what it means to win the championship,” he said.
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Winners of the Fam national women’s championship qualify for the Caf Champions League/ Cosafa qualifier.
Ascent Operations Director Thom Mkolongo said their target is also to represent Malawi this year.
“We are prepared and ready to win the championship,” he said. Bullets Women and Silver Strikers Ladies failed to participate in the inaugural edition in 2022.
The format for this year’s championship has changed from the previous group stage to knockout competition, starting with the second play offs.
In the second play-offs, Silver Strikers Ladies will face CY Sisters whereas Civil will meet Mighty Wanderers Queens.
