NBS Bank National Division League top scorer, Raheem Mtondera, took his tally to 10 goals in just 7 games after netting twice to help Mitundu Baptist bounce back to winning ways with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Bangwe All Stars at the Civo Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The team was coming off a 3-1 defeat to Chintheche United before the league break, which saw them surrender their top spot. But Mtondera put Baptist ahead in the 40th minute with a clinical finish, only for Moses Gunde to level the scores from the spot in the 50th minute. Just a minute later, Mtondera struck again, restoring the lead and sealing all three points in style.
Team manager for the victors, Precious Phiri, expressed satisfaction as his side returned to winning form in the league.
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“I am very happy with the win. As you know, we are coming from a 3-1 defeat to Chintheche in Rumphi, so this victory will push us back into a better position,” said Phiri.
However, Bangwe All Stars head coach, Isaac ‘Jomo’ Osman, was unimpressed with the officiating during the match.
“I have to thank my boys for putting in a gallant fight. They played well, but we keep saying again and again that our national team is struggling, and the Football Association of Malawi is organizing these kinds of tournaments to help develop the game. People are investing money, and then referees come and ruin the matches. This is a minus,” said Jomo.
The result catapulted Baptist back to second on the table with 15 points from 7 games, having won five and lost two, while Bangwe slipped to fifth with 12 points from four wins and three defeats.
Meanwhile, 10-man Namitete Zitha staged a remarkable comeback from a goal down to claim a spirited 2-1 win over Chintheche United, breaking into the top four of the league at the Mchinji Community Ground on Sunday.
The visitors took the lead through Chikondi Banda in the 24th minute, but substitute Lawrence Chilenga equalized before Mathews Hamza hammered in the winner with just eight minutes left on the clock.
Zitha head coach, Richard Fosiko, hailed his squad for their gritty second-half display that powered the comeback.
“It was a tough game. Our opponents came at us hard in the first half—they dominated and got a goal. But in the second half, we kept pressing, and we got those two goals. I am really happy with the win today,” said Fosiko.
On his part, Chintheche assistant coach, Isaac Kajeke, said refereeing decisions had a negative impact on their performance.
“We started strong in the first half and got a goal, but in the second half, we dropped in performance. Our opponents capitalized on that and got the equalizer. Then came some refereeing decisions that frustrated our players. I can say we lost today because of the officiating,” said Kajeke.
The win lifted Zitha to fourth with 14 points from four wins, two draws, and one loss, while Chintheche dropped to sixth with 11 points from three wins, two draws, and two defeats.
A total of 13 goals have been scored across six Week 7 matches in the league, with FOMO FC emerging as the top scorers after putting three past Mchinji Villa on Saturday.
Red Lions still top the table with 18 points, with Mitundu Baptist and Baka City completing the top three, both tied at 15 points. Meanwhile, Chilumba Barracks, Mchinji Villa, and Jenda United are still searching for their first wins of the season, sitting 10th, 11th, and 12th respectively.
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