UD de Lichinga Edges Ascent Academy in COSAFA Qualifiers
UD de Lichinga will next face Young Buffaloes of Eswatini on Tuesday, while Ascent Academy takes on Gaborone United of Botswana on the same day.
Blantyre, Malawi - UD de Lichinga of Mozambique secured their first win in the ongoing CAF Women's Champions League | COSAFA qualifiers, defeating Malawi's Ascent Academy 1-0 in a Group B match played at Mpira Stadium on Sunday, writes Happy Valirani.
Celia Miguel's lone goal in the 74th minute proved decisive for UD de Lichinga, propelling them to the top of the group standings with four points from two matches.
“Congratulations to my players, this match was very difficult because we were playing with the hosting team,” said UD de Lichinga's Head Coach, Jifassone Bonomar.
“We motivated the players before the start of the game, and we are very happy that we have won the match and we have four points.”
Thom Nkolongo, Ascent Academy's Head Coach, acknowledged his team's struggles in the final third.
“We started a little bit slow and then we picked up, creating chances both in the first and second half but didn't utilize those chances,” he said.
“I can say that we are very slow when we are attacking, we are not shooting on goal. UD de Lichinga had only two chances and they have punished us.”
UD de Lichinga will next face Young Buffaloes of Eswatini on Tuesday, while Ascent Academy takes on Gaborone United of Botswana on the same day.
Currently, UD de Lichinga leads Group B with four points, followed by Ascent Academy with three points. Gaborone United sits in third place with two points, and Young Buffaloes is in fourth with one point.
In the first match of Group B, Gaborone United drew 1-1 with Young Buffaloes.