NBS NDL Golden Boot winner Raheem Mtondera ends season with just 2 yellow cards

* Interestingly, his runner-up is Mchinji Villa’s Davie Juwawo, who scored an impressive 14 goals in 16 matches played

* But the goals did not help his team from being relegated as he usually found the net when they lost matches

By Duncan Mlanjira

Mitundu Baptist’s forward Raheem Mtondera was the absolute marksman throughout the NBS Bank National Division League (NDL) in which he bagged an overall and an unassailable 25 goals that earned him the inaugural Golden Boot Award.

But what also stands out is that he only managed to be booked just twice in yellow cards in 20 games played, against overall 37 that Mitundu Baptist earned in 22 games.

His so much concentration on scoring for his team, as well in assists, might have led to his exemplary pitch discipline since sometimes yellow cards are earned from unintended fouls and without any malice — especially for forwards during high intensity play.

Interestingly, his runner-up is Mchinji Villa’s Davie Juwawo, who scored an impressive 14 goals in 16 matches played — but the goals did not help his team from being relegated as he usually found the net when they lost matches.

FOMO FC, who got demoted from the Super League in 2024 and were hoping for a quick return to the elite football only to conclude the second tier football system on 4th place, have two players in the top five leading scorers, Rashid Chiromo (8 goals in 18 games) and Chitsanzo Saidi (7 in 22).

Tying on 5th place with 3 goals are relegated Chilumba Barracks’ Matorino Clement in 13 games, 6th-placed Ndirande Stars’ Madalitso Jeffrey in 14 games and champions Red Lions’ Mphatso Magaleta in 20 games.

Sharing on 5 goals apiece are 3rd-placed Baka City’s Amon Mwakitatu in 11 games & Hastings Ndau (19 games); a trio of 7th-placed Bangwe All Stars’, Dyson Moffat 18 games), Moses Gunde (11 games) & Seleman Mussah (18 games) and 5th-place Namitete Zitha’s Alexander Cosmas (22 games).

The players who earned the unenviable number of yellow cards are the usual suspects; defenders led by a duo from FOMO FC Chimwemwe Nyoni and Ndirande Stars Chikondi Simeon at 7 booking a piece from 19 and 18 games played respectively.

They are followed by Red Lions’ James Emmanuel at 6 yellow cards from 14 games and a set at 5 apiece — Lumbani Kamtoma (Chintheche United), Tamandani Ngulube (Mitundu Baptist), Precious Fwetse (Namitete Zitha), Kumbukani Bofote (Mchinji Villa), along with forward Madalitso Jeffrey of Ndirande Stars.

There are three midfielders who joined defender Victor Luhanga of relegated Jenda United earning 4 yellow cards apiece; Henderson Banda (Mitundu Baptist), Wongani Gondwe (Red Lions) and James Ching’amba (Mchinji Villa).

There is nothing more frustrating for a coach than having most valuable players being sent off the pitch after being shown two yellow cards in one game or straight red cards — but this was the case for Ndirande Stars who accumulated a total of 4 red cards and two apiece for Chilumba Barracks, Chintheche United, Mitundu Baptist and Namitete Zitha.

And despite not playing all 22 games, Mtondera was still the leading top scorer since all players who were involved in most minutes played are 8 defenders, one goalkeeper and one midfielder.

Three players earned the trust of the coach by playing all 22 games of the season; Namitete Zitha’s goalkeeper, Moffat Limunga, who played a goal of 2,076 minutes, and defenders Bonface Khaka of Ntaja United (2,035 minutes) and Bangwe All Stars Innocent Milanzie (2,029 minutes).

Those who played one game short of 22 are midfielder Blessings Idana of Chintheche United (1,980 minutes); defenders Namitete Zitha’s Precious Fwetse (2,001 minutes), Mitundu Baptist’s Moses Nyirenda (1,977), Ndirande Stars’ Aubrey Madongo Mwale ((1,974), Mchinji Villa’s Frank Kasalika (1,927), Ntaja United (1,900) and Mitundu’s Leo Kachika (1,898).