Matindi, St Paul’s get semi-final slots

Matindi Academy and St Paul’s Secondary School have earned semi-final slots in the Matindi Academy Southern Region Schools Women Football Tournament on a silver platter after Namalimwe CDSS and Polytechnic Ladies failed to show up at the quarter-finals.

According to the Southern Region Women Football Committee (SRWFC) general secretary Immaculate Chiwaya, Polytechnic Ladies could not form a team last Sunday due to the students’ sit-in while Namalimwe did not give reasons for their absence at the quarter-final venue on Tuesday.

“For being absent at the match venues, Polytechnic Ladies and Namalimwe CDSS have automatically lost their games 2-0 each.

“Of course, the Poly Ladies gave a valid reason, but we could not do otherwise because we are already under pressure to meet the deadline for completing the games,” said Chiwaya.

Nevertheless, St Charles Lwanga beat hosts Mangochi Secondary School 4-0 in the quarter-finals last weekend as Mpondasi CDSS beat Mulanje Secondary School 2-0 in Zomba.

This means Matindi will now face St Charles Lwanga Secondary School in a semi-final match at Balaka Stadium on Sunday whereas St Paul’s will be hosted by Mpondasi CDSS in Mangochi on Saturday.

In the Central Region, New Version thrashed hosts Chipasula Secondary School 6-1 last Saturday to book a semi-final place. Matindi Girls Academy had a 2-0 ride over Dzenza Secondary School in the other quarter-final fixture.

Central Region Women Football Committee (CRWFC) general secretary Fagnes Kazingatchire has said their other quarter-final matches that will see Chioko taking on Chinsapo and Kamuzu Barracks tussling against Nanjati will take place on Saturday at Chipasula Secondary School ground from 9.30am.