Malawi’s representatives in the Confederation of African Football Women’s Champions League Ntopwa Ladies have sounded a desperate call for support as they continue the hunt for K25 million to help them realise their dream of competing at international club level.
The country’s national women’s football champions will represent Malawi during the Champions League qualifiers for Cosafa teams.
The qualifiers are scheduled to run from August 30 to September 8 in Durban, South Africa
Ntopwa owner and technical director Isaac ‘Jomo’ Osman made the plea for financial backing during a press briefing at Golden Peacock Hotel in Blantyre Thursday.
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This was after the team received a set of uniforms from HM Bhobho Puffs.
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Osman said they have a K25 million shortfall from their K55 million budget.
“We are requesting well-wishers to come to our rescue. We are representing the country and as flag carriers, we need support to make the nation proud,” he said.
Osman said, so far, the team has secured return air tickets amounting to over K20 million for its 28-member squad from undisclosed well-wishers.
“We also received K400,000 support from former President Joyce Banda whereas Football Association of Malawi is funding our two-week camp training at Mpira Village in Chiwembe at an estimated cost of K11 million,” he said.
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Meanwhile, the team’s resource mobilisation committee chairperson and former National Youth Football Association chairperson Mabvuto Missi said they have approached several companies with proposals for both long and short-term deals.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in our quest to make this trip a reality. We are currently planning to hold a fundraising dinner next week at Golden Peacock.
“We have invited high-profile people and one of the best gospel music outfits in the country. More details will be released later,” Missi said.
Ahead of the tournament, Ntopwa have roped in veteran striker Linda Kasenda from Civil Service United Women and Limbikani Chikupira from FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women.
Ntopwa will be the first women’s football team from Malawi to take part in the qualifiers for the continental championship.
Ntopwa were drawn in Group A of the competition alongside defending champions Green Buffaloes of Zambia, Double Action Ladies of Botswana and Lesotho’s Defence Force.
The Amaghetto Queens will start their campaign against Lesotho on August 30 at Sugar Ray Zulu Stadium before meeting Buffaloes two days later at the same venue.
They will wrap up their group stage campaign against Double Action on September 4 at Princess Magogo Stadium.
