Ascent Academy have been crowned champions of Malawi’s 2023 Goshen-FAM Women’s Championship after beating MDF Lioness 1-0 to claim the title.

It gives the side a place at the COSAFA Women’s Champions League tournament later this year, which in turn serves as a qualifier for the CAF Women’s Champions League competition.

Marriam Mnenula scored the only goal of the final after 15 minutes to give her side the victory and make up for the disappointment of losing the 2022 final to Ntopwa, when they went down 5-3 on penalties.

Ascent scored seven goals in the finals competition and conceded none as they dominated. The feat was even more impressive as the team was made up of Under-20 players.

Ascent is the club where 17-year-old Leticia Chinyamula plays. She was the recent recipient in the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Most Promising Player award at the COSAFA Awards in Johannesburg.

Picture credit: Football Association of Malawi