Four Northern region teams will exit the NBS Bank National Division League (NDL) following the completion of its inaugural season, with Baka City earning promotion to the Super League while Chintheche United, Jenda United, and Chilumba Barracks face relegation.
The shake-up marks a significant shift for Northern region football, as all four teams featured in the maiden 2025 NDL season will be replaced by different sides in the 2026-27 campaign.
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Baka City, who were relegated from the Super League in 2024, finished third in the NDL to seal an immediate return to the elite division. Assistant coach Martin Nkhonya emphasized the need to learn from past mistakes.
“We will have a meeting with the team’s board to discuss the issues that led to our relegation so that we can avoid them. Trust me, we will not be relegated from the Super League next season,” Nkhonya said.
He added that the team needs to strengthen approximately seven positions to compete effectively at the highest level.
Chintheche United, Jenda United, and Chilumba Barracks will all return to the Northern Region Football League (NRFL) after finishing in the bottom four of the NDL standings.
Chintheche United had their relegation confirmed on the final day after losing 3-0 to FOMO FC, while Jenda United and Chilumba Barracks had their fates sealed earlier in the campaign.
The three teams were added to the inaugural NDL season after finishing in the top four of the 2024 NRFL behind champions Songwe Border United.
Coaches Reflect on Relegation
Chintheche United’s Kaloti Kayuni attributed their downfall to inconsistency.
“We started well and were favorites to win the competition, but towards the end we dropped our performance. That lack of consistency in the second round affected us,” Kayuni explained.
Chilumba Barracks assistant coach George Howard accepted the team’s fate but expressed confidence in a quick return.
“We have organized sponsorship, so going to the NRFL is okay for us. We will work hard to return after one year,” Howard said.
Jenda United’s Uchizi Nkunika described the NDL as being on par with the Super League in terms of quality and vowed to retain key players for the promotion push.
“Definitely we will come back to this league if we keep all our players. If a player wants to leave for the National Division League or Super League, he can go, but not to another NRFL team because we want to return to the NDL,” Nkunika stated.
The Northern region will have three teams in the 2026-27 NDL season. Mzuzu City Hammers and Songwe Border United, both relegated from the Super League, will join the NRFL champions.
Embangweni United currently leads the NRFL by 13 points and is on course to represent the region alongside the two relegated Super League sides.
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