Red Lions Secure Super League Return as Promotion Battle Intensifies

Red Lions have confirmed their return to the Super League, two years after relegation, following a 1-0 victory over Bangwe All Stars at Balaka Stadium on Sunday in the NBS Bank National Division League.

Mphatso Magaleta’s second-minute strike secured the win and the promotion that the team desperately needed. With three matches remaining, Red Lions need just one more victory to be crowned champions of the second-tier league, having opened an eight-point gap over Baka City and an 11-point lead over both Mitundu Baptist and Namitete Zitha.

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Head coach Malumbo Mkandawire expressed satisfaction with the promotion but vowed to maintain intensity through the season’s end.

“We will still fight in the remaining games and we will not relax because we have been promoted. I am happy to return to the top-flight league,” said Mkandawire.

Bangwe All Stars assistant coach Davie Mwachumu remained optimistic about his team’s survival prospects despite the loss.

“We know that we can’t make it to the top three, but with this play I believe we will do better in the final three matches and maintain our place in the league for next season,” he said.

Red Lions sit atop the table with 43 points from 13 wins, four draws, and two defeats. Bangwe All Stars occupy seventh place with 25 points from seven wins, four draws, and eight defeats.

Three Teams Battle for Final Two Promotion Spots

Mitundu Baptist kept their promotion hopes alive with a crucial 1-0 victory over Baka City at Maliri Ground, narrowing the gap on second place.

League top scorer Raheem Mtondera netted the decisive goal in the 23rd minute to secure Baptist’s 10th win of the season. The result lifted them back to third place, level on 32 points with fourth-placed Namitete Zitha.

The battle for the remaining two promotion places has intensified, with Baka City holding second on 35 points, while Mitundu Baptist and Namitete Zitha both sit on 32 points in third and fourth respectively.

Mitundu Baptist head coach Audlow Makonyola identified the Baka City match as their toughest remaining fixture and expressed confidence about their promotion chances.

“We will keep fighting because we have three games remaining, and this was our toughest match. We will fight to move into second place as we just need three points to get there,” said Makonyola.

Baka City head coach Victor Mwakhwawa lamented the difficulty of winning away matches in the National Division League.

“We had a strong second half and scored what we thought was a clear goal, but the referees ruled otherwise. It’s painful, but we move on. We want to finish top and we have two home games remaining, so we’re not giving up,” said Mwakhwawa.

Relegation Battle Takes Dramatic Turn

The fight for survival took a significant twist as Mchinji Villa and Chintheche United secured vital wins to move within one point of safety with three matches remaining.

Mchinji Villa defeated fellow relegation-threatened side Chilumba Barracks 2-1 at Mchinji Community Ground. Davie Juwao scored twice in the 18th and 47th minutes, while Kanido Mwafulirwa pulled one back in the 77th minute.

Villa head coach Abel Mkandawire emphasized his team’s determination to secure survival.

“We are not relaxing and we will not rest. We will start training immediately because the games are intense now and every team is fighting for survival. We will try everything we can to win our remaining matches,” said Mkandawire.

Chilumba Barracks head coach Nelson Chirwa blamed poor officiating for the defeat but vowed to keep fighting.

“The games are still on and we have two home matches and one away match remaining, so we will keep fighting to win them all,” said Chirwa.

The result moved Villa up to ninth with 22 points from five wins, seven draws, and seven defeats—one point below eighth-placed Ntaja United. Chilumba Barracks dropped to 11th with 20 points from four wins, eight draws, and seven defeats.

Chintheche United claimed a crucial 1-0 away victory over Ndirande Stars thanks to Manase Mlenga’s 67th-minute strike.

Head coach Kaloti Kayuni praised his team’s performance while acknowledging missed opportunities.

“It was a tough match against a good team, but we fought hard and got the win, though we missed many chances that could have killed off the game in the first half. All in all, we got what we wanted,” said Kayuni.

Ndirande Stars officials were unavailable for comment after the match.

The victory lifted Chintheche to 10th with 22 points from five wins, seven draws, and seven defeats. Ndirande Stars missed an opportunity to join the promotion race and remain sixth with 26 points from six wins, eight draws, and five defeats.

The top three teams will earn promotion to the Super League, while the bottom four will be relegated to regional leagues.