Malawi’s representatives at the on-going Caf Women’s Champions League Cosafa qualifiers, Ntopwa Women’s FC, face another big test when they meet defending champions Green Buffaloes of Zambia at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban, South Africa, this afternoon.
Both teams dropped points in their opening matches at the same venue and will be eyeing their first win.
Ntopwa were held to a 1-1 draw by Lesotho Defence Force whereas Buffaloes also registered a similar result against Botswana’s Double Action Ladies.
The results in the opening matches mean Group A is still wide open and the Amaghetto Queens will be looking to cause a big upset at the tournament.
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However, Ntopwa need to double their efforts against Buffaloes to get a positive result that would increase their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
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Buffaloes have vast experience, having participated in all editions of the competition since 2021.
They qualified for last year’s Caf Champions League finals in Morocco after winning the Cosafa qualifiers following a 5-4 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.
Ntopwa should therefore be forewarned that they are facing an experienced team this afternoon.
The Malawian team should therefore be clinical in today’s match, having wasted several chances in the opening encounter against Lesotho Defence Force which they dominated.
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Surely, Ntopwa made life difficult for themselves as they reduced their chances of progressing to the last four after failing to score from clear-cut opportunities.
However, it would be unfair to expect the moon and the sun from the girls who are playing at their first-ever international club competition.
It is likely that coach James Sangala knows how far his charges can go and must have done his homework well ahead of the match.
Speaking in an interview from the South African coastal city Thursday, Sangala said he expects a tough match against Buffaloes.
“We are facing a team we know very little about as regards how it plays. But we know the challenge that we are up against.
“We have watched how they play through some videos and, yes, they are a good side. But we also have good players who can match them. We are capable of creating chances against any team but we need to utilise them,’’ he said.
Sangala will be banking his hopes on experienced strikers Linda Kasenda and Vanessa Chikupira, who were outstanding against Lesotho Defence Force.
Captain Saliva January, Benardetta Mkandawire and Mercy Sikelo are also likely to start.
Sports analyst Parry Chinyama said Ntopwa showed great character in the first match.
“It is worth mentioning that they were very organised in defending and moved as a team when attacking,” Chinyama said.
Ntopwa will wrap up their group stage campaign against Double Action at Princess Magogo on Monday.
Two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals with the winner of the tournament automatically booking a ticket to the Champions League finals to be staged in Ivory Coast in November this year
