Red Lions are the champions of the inaugural NBS Bank National Division League despite suffering a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Chintheche United, as Baka City’s home draw ensured them the Championship at the Mzuzu Stadium on Saturday.
The game left both teams smiling as Chintheche United completed a massive comeback to move out of the relegation zone after coming from two goals down, while the Reds benefitted from Baka City’s 1-1 draw against Mchinji Villa to be crowned champions.
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The visitors were two goals up thanks to Mphatso Magaleta’s brace in the 18th and 21st minutes, but Aubren Khumbula pulled one back in the 27th minute before Chisomo Banda scored a second-half brace to complete the comeback.
Head coach for Red Lions, Malumbo Mkandawire, said that his team missed a lot of chances, which allowed Chintheche to come back and seal the win.
“It was a good match. We led by two goals but then we were down and missed our chances, allowing Chintheche to fight back. They are fighting for relegation—that’s why they were hard,” said Mkandawire.
Meanwhile, Kaloti Kayuni of Chintheche United was happy with the win and promised to maintain their performance in the remaining two games.
“I am happy with the performance of the boys. We struggled in the opening minutes, but I told the boys to keep on fighting and we managed to come back. I am very happy,” he said.
The Reds are now holding a gap of 7 points over second-placed Baka City with two games left to finish the league, as they have 43 points from 13 wins, four draws and three defeats in the League.
Meanwhile, Chintheche United moved out of the relegation zone, placing themselves two points above the relegation zone as they have 25 points from 6 wins, 7 draws and 7 defeats in the League.
Baka, Villa slip in promotion and survival battles respectively
Baka City failed to create a healthy gap to consolidate their second position in the League while handing over the trophy to Red Lions after coming from behind to play a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Mchinji Villa at the Karonga Stadium.
The Clever Boys were in need of a win that could have delayed Red Lions’ championship and particularly opened a 6-point gap over Mitundu Baptist and Namitete Zitha, but found themselves trailing through Austin Shaba’s first-half goal. However, Philimon Ndhlovu levelled from the spot in the 74th minute to snatch a point.
Head coach for Baka City, Victor Mwakhwawa, said that his team missed a lot of chances in the game, which they were supposed to win, but said a draw is not bad for them.
“This game could have put us in a better place where we will be promoted, but due to pressure, our strikers failed to convert the chances we got. We are having a game on Wednesday at home and we will sort out our problems so that we win at home,” said Mwakhwawa.
However, Mchinji Villa were also in a must-win match in order to move out of relegation, but the result has left them two points below the safe place in the League.
Head coach for Mchinji Villa, Abel Mkandawire, said that earning a point away from home is an achievement and that his team will survive relegation this season.
“Officiation was not good—you could also see for yourself—but we tried and we got a point away from home, which is not easy, and I thank the boys for their hard work. We will not be relegated, trust me. We will survive,” said Mkandawire.
Baka City remain second in the league as they have 36 points from 10 wins, 6 draws and four defeats in the League, four points above Mitundu Baptist in third, while Villa drop to 10th in the League with 23 points from five wins, 8 draws and 7 losses in the League.
FOMO set themselves safe in NDL
FOMO FC have put themselves in a safe place not to be involved in the survival battle and could also be fighting for promotion in the final two matches after moving three points behind the third spot with a 0-2 win over Jenda United at the Kasungu Stadium.
The visitors were at risk of being packed in the group of teams fighting for safety, but they opened a 7-point gap above the relegation zone, meaning they cannot be relegated, thanks to Rashid Chilomo’s brace in the match.
Head coach for FOMO FC, Bishop Ntchindi Mhango, hailed his boys for their outstanding performance in the game.
“It was a good game for us because we played very well. Of course, we struggled a bit in the first half, but we picked up in the second half. We need to win our remaining two matches so that we finish on a high,” said Mhango.
His opposite number, Uchizi Nkunika, accepted the defeat, saying his team tried but could not convert their chances.
“We are trying to finish our games and at least we are trying to perform well, only that we are failing to score goals from our chances,” said Nkunika.
FOMO have moved up to 30 points, still in fifth position, from 9 wins, three draws and 8 defeats in the League, while Jenda remain bottom with just 5 points from one win, two draws and 17 losses.
Bangwe send Ntaja United to relegation zone
Bangwe All Stars have secured a vital win to escape pressure from relegation-threatened sides after beating Ntaja United 1-0 to push the Machinga-based side to the relegation zone at the Mpira Stadium.
Dyson Moffat scored in the 14th minute as the Amaghetto kids got their 8th goal of the season while pushing Ntaja to the red zone.
Assistant head coach for Bangwe All Stars, Davie Matemba, said his team needed a win in the game to confirm their survival in the League.
“This was what we wanted. Of course, we could have won by five goals, but what is more important is the win. We want to win our remaining games so that we finish well this season,” said Matemba.
On his part, head coach for Ntaja United, Mavuto Lungu, conceded the defeat and said that his team never came to the party in the game.
“A bad game for us because we did not play the way we wanted, and also the goal disturbed us. The second half was disjointed. We will keep on fighting in our remaining two games because those will determine our survival in the League,” said Lungu.
Bangwe All Stars moved up to 6th on the log table with 28 points from 8 wins, four draws and 8 defeats, while Ntaja United have dropped to 9th on the table with 23 points from 6 wins, five draws and 9 defeats, sitting two points below safety in the League.
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