Two hat-tricks from Malawi internationals Leticia Chinyamula and Mary Chavinda highlighted an action-packed Saturday afternoon in the NBM Women’s Premiership Matchweek 7, as 13 goals were scored across two matches.
Chinyamula scored three goals as Ascent Soccer thrashed debutants FACT Ladies 6-0 at Nankhaka, while Chavinda also netted a hat-trick in Nyasa Big Bullets Women’s 6-1 victory over Rumphi Sisters at Mpira Stadium.
Bullets Women’s Vanessa Issa also registered a brace in the seven-goal encounter. The victories took both Ascent Soccer and Bullets Women to 15 points, level with leaders and reigning champions Silver Strikers Ladies, who host Mighty Wanderers Queens on Sunday.
At Nankhaka, Ascent Soccer opened the scoring in the 12th minute through Alephar Chimbeta, who intercepted a ball from FACT Ladies goalkeeper Takondwa Kazitche before finding the net. Chinyamula doubled the lead just a minute later after receiving a well-placed pass from Chimbeta.
She completed her brace in the 63rd minute following a fine move involving Mayamiko Mkandawire, who beat her marker before rounding the goalkeeper. Mkandawire then made it 4-0 two minutes later after connecting with a good pass from Victoria Mkwala. Chinyamula completed her hat-trick in the 71st minute from the penalty spot after FACT Ladies defender Esnart Layisani handled the ball inside the box.
With the match comfortably in their hands, Ascent Soccer coach Thom Mkorongo substituted Chinyamula in the 81st minute, introducing Ethel Tambala.
The substitute made an immediate impact, scoring Ascent’s sixth goal just four minutes after coming on, following a move started by Jean Fyson. Meanwhile, at Mpira Stadium, Nyasa Big Bullets Women took the lead in the 16th minute through Chavinda, who beat the offside trap before finding the net.
Vanessa Issa doubled the advantage in the 21st minute before Chavinda completed her brace in the 33rd minute, reacting quickly to a rebound after Rumphi Sisters goalkeeper Jane Nyirenda had saved an effort from Effa Msukwa. Rumphi Sisters pulled one back a minute later through Elikanah Munthali, who produced a fine finish inside the box after being set up by Chance Mwenda.
