The top two open decisive six-point gap as battle for Super League berths intensifies
The race for automatic promotion to Malawi’s elite Super League has taken a decisive turn, with Red Lions and Baka City establishing commanding positions at the summit of the NBS Bank National Division League.
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Red Lions Hold Firm at Summit
Red Lions extended their lead at the top to 40 points following a hard-fought goalless draw against FOMO at Mulanje Park Stadium on Saturday, maintaining a five-point cushion over their nearest challengers.
The result, while lacking goals, was crucial in the context of the promotion battle. Red Lions now need just three victories from their remaining four fixtures to clinch the championship and secure an immediate return to the top flight—or merely two points to guarantee promotion.
Head coach Malumbo Mkandawire refused to entertain talk of complacency despite his team’s commanding position.
“We are not relaxing,” Mkandawire declared. “We will keep fighting and working hard so that we win our remaining games and lift the trophy.”
Baka City Assert Dominance
Second-placed Baka City strengthened their promotion credentials with a clinical 2-0 victory over Namitete Zitha at Karonga Stadium on Friday, opening a crucial six-point gap over the chasing pack.
Lloyd Siyeni and Joseph Mwambungu provided the goals that have put Victor Mwakhwala’s side firmly in control of their destiny. With four matches remaining, Baka City appear destined for a return to the Super League.
“We have opened a six-point gap above our opponents behind us, which means the job is not finished but much clearer now,” said Mwakhwala. “However, we are focusing on Red Lions above us—we want to finish top of the league.”
Fierce Battle for Playoff Position
Behind the top two, the race for third place and the promotion playoff spot has intensified into a three-way battle, with Mitundu Baptist and Namitete Zitha locked together on 29 points.
Baptist climbed to third on goal difference after a dramatic comeback at Chitipa Stadium on Saturday. Trailing 2-0 against Chilumba Barracks—Moses Botha and Noah Clement had the hosts in command—Baptist roared back through Raheem Mtondera’s 75th-minute strike and Nicholas Kalondole’s dramatic 90th-minute equalizer to salvage a 2-2 draw.
The result marked Baptist’s second away point of the campaign and injected fresh confidence into their promotion push.
Assistant coach Stanton Thomson issued a bold message to supporters: “They should not have any doubts about us—next season we will play in the Super League.”
Meanwhile, Namitete Zitha’s defeat to Baka City saw them slip to fourth, leaving coach Richard Fosiko to rally his troops for the final push.
“The competition is very high amongst the teams fighting for the championship, but we will not give up,” Fosiko insisted. “We will try to win our remaining matches to replace the points we’ve lost.”
Blantyre Derby Ends in Stalemate
The weekend’s most anticipated fixture—a Blantyre township derby between Ndirande Stars and Bangwe All Stars—failed to produce a winner, the rivals playing out a goalless draw at Mpira Stadium on Saturday.
The result leaves both sides with work to do in their promotion aspirations. Ndirande Stars sit fifth, three points adrift of the playoff position, while Bangwe All Stars languish in sixth with 25 points from 18 matches.
Ndirande assistant coach Robert Daudi remained defiant: “It is tight in the league, but we are not giving up. We want promotion and we will keep fighting for it.”
Bangwe’s Isaac Jomo Osman took a longer view, praising his young squad’s progress in what he termed a rebuilding season.
“It is just by grace that our team is where we are because this is a side that has just been built,” Osman explained. “Some of the players were competing for Ntopwa Under-20, so I believe we will have a stronger team next season.”
At the other end of the table, Ntaja United moved three points clear of the relegation zone with a nervy 3-2 victory over already-relegated Jenda United at Kasungu Stadium on Saturday.
Kumbukani Manto’s brace and Joseph Ziwa’s strike had Ntaja cruising at halftime, but second-half goals from Chisomo Nyirenda and Edward Nyirenda set up a tense finale before the visitors held on.
The win lifts Ntaja to 23 points from 18 games, offering breathing room in their survival battle. Jenda United, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom with just five points from 18 matches, their relegation fate already sealed.
- Red Lions – 40 points
- Baka City – 35 points
- Mitundu Baptist – 29 points (better goal difference)
- Namitete Zitha – 29 points
- Ndirande Stars – 26 points
- Bangwe All Stars – 25 points
The Run-In
With four matches remaining, the automatic promotion places appear destined for Red Lions and Baka City barring a dramatic collapse. The real drama will unfold in the battle for third place, where Mitundu Baptist, Namitete Zitha, Ndirande Stars, and Bangwe All Stars remain locked in a fierce struggle for the playoff position.
Every point from here will carry the weight of dreams—and the agony of what might have been.
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