MDF Lioness were four minutes away from walking away with bragging rights in the Lilongwe derby, but a spectacular late equaliser from Mayamiko Mkandawire left them settling for a point against Ascent Academy on Sunday.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the 2026 NBS Women’s Championship at Ascent Ground, in a match that had appeared to be slipping away from the hosts after MDF Lioness finally broke the deadlock in the 69th minute.
Asimenye Simwaka gave MDF Lioness the lead after Catherine Kachala split the Ascent defence with a perfectly weighted pass. Simwaka needed only one touch before firing past Patricia Kachepa to put her side in front.
It was a goal that looked set to reward MDF Lioness for their persistence in a tightly contested derby. Simwaka had already gone close earlier with a header from Kachala’s corner, while Yamikani Kawonga had also kept her side in the contest with an excellent save from Alephar Chimbeta before the break.
Ascent refused to disappear from the contest, however, and kept pushing for a way back. Leticia Chinyamula came agonisingly close in the 82nd minute when her free-kick beat Kawonga but crashed against the base of the upright.
Two minutes later, the equaliser finally arrived, and it came in spectacular fashion.
Chinyamula’s free-kick initially struck the wall before she sent another effort into the crowded box. The ball deflected off an MDF Lioness player and fell into the path of Mkandawire, who reacted quickest before producing a stunning bicycle kick to make it 1-1.
The late goal left MDF Lioness with little time to respond, as the remaining minutes and six minutes of added time produced no further breakthrough.
MDF Lioness assistant coach Yohane Fulaye said his players had followed the plan they had worked on in training but admitted the team had wanted more than a draw.
Ascent coach Thom Mkolongo, meanwhile, acknowledged that his team failed to produce their usual attacking football but believes the problems exposed by the derby can be corrected as the campaign continues.
For MDF Lioness, the point keeps them in the fight, but the feeling will be different after surrendering a lead so close to the final whistle. For Ascent, the spectacular equaliser provided a dramatic escape and a reminder that a derby can change in a single moment.
