Mitundu Baptist secure elite league promotion, Chilumba Barracks relegated from NDL

Mitundu Baptist have completed the number of promoted teams in the Elite League from NBS Bank National Division League after beating relegated Jenda United 6-0 at the Maliri Ground on Sunday.

The league’s top scorer, Raheem Mtondera, netted five goals to take his tally to 24 while Josophat Kwalira got the other goal for the team to secure promotion into the league with a game to spare.

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Head coach for the team, Audlow Makonyola, believes there is a need to add some new players to the team to cope with the intensity of the Elite League.

“Considering the level that we are playing at, we have a good team full of good players, but I know the Super League. I cannot say that we can do better in the league, so we will add a few positions to strengthen the squad,” said Makonyola.

On his part, Jenda United head coach Uchizi Nkunika said they have learned a lot from the NDL but added that officiation stunned them in the match.

“It is not a reason that we are already out that referees should betray us. The first goal was a dubious penalty and the second one was an offside which weakened us, but we cannot talk much because the goals are just too many,” said Nkunika.

Their win took their points up to 38 from 12 wins, two draws, and seven defeats and could see them finish second as they stay a point behind Baka City, while Jenda remain bottom with 5 points from 21 games.

Chilumba Barracks get relegated from NDL

Chilumba Barracks have become the second team to be relegated from the NDL after suffering a 2-1 defeat against champions Red Lions at the Balaka Stadium.

Chilumba had the odds already against them but had to wait for confirmation and were stunned by Kaliwo Harawa and Zikhole Ngulube’s goals, while Matorino Clement’s goal was not enough to save them.

Head coach for the team, Nelson Chirwa, said his team failed to capitalize on their chances and lost their match.

“We started slowly as the players were giving respect, but after coping, we came back and got a goal. In the second half, we created chances that could have earned us a win, but we missed, hence we lost,” said Chirwa.

On his part, Malumbo Mkandawire of Red Lions said that his team changed a lot of players to give Chilumba an unfamiliar environment, which really worked.

“We were facing a team similar to ours, and also their coach and some players have been at our team, so we changed it to confuse them. We are in the Super League where we have never been before. We will make sure to work so that we stay longer this time,” said Mkandawire.

Chilumba Barracks have joined their fellow northern region side, Jenda United, as relegated teams as they have 20 points from four wins, eight draws, and nine defeats, while Red Lions have added to their tally to reach 46 points from 14 wins, four draws, and three defeats.

Mchinji Derby ends in stalemate

Mchinji Villa missed a chance to strengthen their chances for survival in the NDL while Namitete Zitha had their promotion bid ended at the Mchinji Community Ground after playing a 2-2 draw in a Mchinji Derby.

Namitete Zitha had to cancel Mchinji Villa’s goals twice in the game through Alex Mbewe in the 34th minute and Alexander Cosmas in the 90th minute after Jafali John and Dave Juwao had put the hosts ahead in the 20th and 81st minutes respectively to settle for one point.

Assistant coach for Namitete Zitha, Martin Mkamanga, said that officiation was one of the factors that made them fail to earn promotion into the Super League.

“These are the same referees that officiated our game in the first round, and I don’t know where the penalty came from, but lucky enough, we managed to get a goal from their own mistake. We have to accept that we have missed the promotion, but we will prepare well for the next season,” said Mkamanga.

Meanwhile, head coach for Mchinji Villa, Abel Mkandawire, said their own error destroyed everything for the team in the game.

“It’s very painful because we thought that we had already won, but we made one mistake and Zitha got a goal. We told the boys not to play with it at the back, but our defender did that and allowed our opponent to get a goal,” said Mkandawire.

Villa now stay two points below safety in 10th position as they have 20 points from five wins, nine draws, and seven defeats, while Zitha have dropped down to fifth on the table with 33 points from nine wins, six draws, and six defeats in the league.

FOMO beat Bangwe to rise to fourth

FOMO FC have moved up to fourth in the NDL after securing a 2-0 win over Bangwe All Stars in a tight match played at the Mulanje Park Stadium.

Goals from Mike Banda and Prince Kajore were enough for FOMO to take home three points. However, Bangwe All Stars remain safe in the league thanks to Mchinji Villa’s slip in Mchinji.

Head coach for the team, Bishop Ntchindi Mhango, said that it was good to end their matches at home with a win.

“It was a good game as we have played very well, and I am happy to finish our last home game with a win to give our fans a moment of excitement,” said Mhango.

However, all officials from Bangwe All Stars were not available for a media interview after the game.

FOMO took their tally of points to 33 in the league from 10 wins, three draws, and eight defeats in fourth position, while Bangwe All Stars remain seventh in the league with 28 points from eight wins, four draws, and nine defeats.

The final week in the NDL will bring a dramatic end to the tale of the league as two teams will be relegated while one will stay in the league among Ntaja United, Chintheche United, and Mchinji Villa.

Ntaja are eighth with 26 points followed by Chintheche with 25 points, and Villa could also survive as they have 24 points in the league.