Mitundu miss second spot as Chintheche, Chilumba ends in stalemate in NDL

Mitundu Baptist missed a chance to regain second place and cut their gap on Red Lions to eight points after playing a 0-0 draw against Ntaja United at Balaka Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Mitundu needed redemption after failing to earn points in their opening two games of the second round. A win could have placed them above Baka City, but they failed to find the back of the net.

MORE NEWS FROM WAMPIRA

Head coach Audrow Makonyola said the team felt too much pressure to win and was happy to earn their first point away from home.

“We lost two games in the second round and had pressure to score and finally get a win, which was hard for us. It’s our first point away from home and it’s a surprise. We’re eyeing the top three and possibly first place, and our target remains the same,” said Makonyola.

Ntaja United head coach Mabvuto Lungu said his team struggled in the game but getting a point wasn’t bad.

“We were dominated and second to the ball mostly in the first half, but we improved in the second half. A point is not bad considering how the game went,” said Lungu.

The draw lifted Mitundu Baptist to second place with 22 points from seven wins, one draw and six defeats. Ntaja United remain ninth with 16 points from four wins, four draws and six defeats.

Chintheche salvage late draw

In another match, Chintheche United began their journey at Mzuzu Stadium with a draw after scoring late to snatch a point in a 1-1 stalemate against Chilumba Barracks.

Chikondi Banda scored in the 75th minute for Chintheche to cancel out Mapopa Munthali’s 61st-minute goal for the visitors.

Chintheche United head coach Isaac Kapyepye described the result as disappointing, saying the team tried hard to find a winner but missed many chances.

“After they got a red card, we tried to attack more and left our defense vulnerable. That’s when we conceded a penalty. I believe we could have done better in the first half because we controlled everything, but we missed chances. In football, you are punished for that,” said Kapyepye.

Chilumba Barracks assistant coach George Howard said his team was lucky to leave with a point.

“It was a very hard game for us as we didn’t play well. Being away and getting a point is good for us,” said Howard.

Chintheche United now have 18 points from four wins, six draws and four defeats in eighth position, sitting just two points above the relegation zone. Chilumba remain 10th with 16 points from three wins, seven draws and four defeats.

Red Lions continue to lead the standings with 32 points from 14 games, opening a nine-point gap on Baka City. Just three points separate second and seventh place.

Mitundu Baptist have 22 points, Bangwe have 21, while FOMO, Ndirande Stars and Namitete Zitha each have 20 points. Only seven points separate the relegation zone from second-placed Baka City.

Ntaja United, Chilumba Barracks, Mchinji and Jenda United remain in the relegation zone after week 14.

The top two teams will earn automatic promotion to the elite league, while the third-placed team will play promotion playoffs against the 14th-placed elite league team. The four bottom teams will be relegated and replaced by first-placed teams from the four regional leagues.