Ntopwa Women’s FC have a date with destiny when they face Botswana’s Double Action Ladies in their last Group A match at the on-going Caf Women’s Champions League Cosafa qualifiers in Durban, South Africa.
The two teams come face-to-face at Princess Magogo Stadium in the coastal city this afternoon.
This is a must-win match for Ntopwa if they are to book a spot in the semi-finals of the competition.
The group is still wide open with all the four teams having mathematical chances of making it to the last four.
Heading into the match, Ntopwa are bottom of the group with one point following a 1-1 stalemate against Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) in the opening match on Wednesday.
A 2-0 margin win in today’s match will take Ntopwa level on points with Action Ladies with the Malawians going through on the head-to-head rule.
However, Ntopwa must be at their best to beat the Botswana side which has also proved to be good.
On the other hand, Action Ladies just need a draw to qualify for the semi-finals regardless of what happens in the other Group A match between defending champions Green Buffaloes and LDF at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.
Buffaloes are second with four points from two matches, behind Action Ladies on goal difference whereas LDF are third with one point from the same number of matches.
In their debut international competition, Ntopwa have shown great character despite not winning any match.
They go into today’s fixture with a solid defence combination of Rose Alufandika and Bernadette Mkandawire.
However, they have been struggling to keep possession in the last two matches.
Coach James Sangala said his charges are determined to write their own piece of history.
’’We do not want to put pressure on the players, this being their first tournament. But there is hope that we can make it. We just need to utilise our chances,’’ Sangala said.
Despite the 1-0 loss to Buffaloes on Friday, Sangala is likely to maintain the starting line-up.
Goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo is likely to keep her place alongside Mkandawire, Alufandika, captain Saliva January, Linda Kasenda and Vanesa Chikupira.
However, Action Ladies will be a tough nut to crack as they have conceded just a single goal in two matches while Ntopwa have let in two in the same number of fixtures.
Two teams will qualify for the semi-finals from the group with Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Mozambique’s Costa do Sol have already qualified from Group B after two wins each from two matches.
Sundowns and Costa meet today in top spot decider.
