Only Ndirande Stars have beaten log table leaders Songwe Border in 8 games of NBS Bank NDL Season 2

* And it was an away assignment at Zomba Stadium in Matchweek 6 after recording a draw in their opening match and four straight wins thereafter

* After the loss, they picked themselves up comfortably to go on and triumph in their next two fixtures to amass 16 points — opening a 3-point lead at the top

By Duncan Mlanjira

NBS Bank National Division League (NDL) Season 2 log table leaders, Songwe Border United, have won six of the eight played so far, and only lost to Ndirande Stars 0-1.

And it was an away assignment at Zomba Stadium in Matchweek 6 after recording a draw in their opening match and four straight wins thereafter.

After the loss, they picked themselves up comfortably to go on and triumph in their next two fixtures to amass 16 points — opening a 3-point lead at the top.

Their runners-up Extreme FC have amassed 13 points, who are 6 points ahead of 3rd-placed Mzuzu City Hammers, on 13 and sharing with Embangweni (4th).

For Matchweek 9, Songwe Border are up against 8th-placed with 11 points, FOMO FC, who also lost just once, but the Mulanje-based side only won twice and drew five.

It doesn’t stop there for Songwe Border as in past two games, striker Tendai Phiri has rose to prominence by earning two Player of the Match awards back-to-back in the past two triumphs against Chilobwe United (2-0) and Mighty Tigers (1-2).

And in both matches, Tendai scored a goal and also assisted. He is a player FOMO FC should really watch out for as being at Karonga Stadium on Saturday, he is definitely going to be fired up in front of his fans.

He earned a place in Matchweek 7 Best XI along with teammates, Abraham Mwandenga and Mwiza Chiona.

To reach this far, Songwe Border first drew 2-2 with Ntaja United in their opening match and went on to beat Mzuzu City Hammers 1-0; Bangwe All Stars 2-1; Embangweni 2-1; Extreme 3-1; before losing to Ndirande 0-1.

Meanwhile, Extreme FC, who helped Songwe to open the 3-point gap by drawing 0-0 with Ndirande Stars last Saturday, are at home, Malijani Stadium in Mchinji on Sunday, to host resurrected Chilobwe United, who trounced Embangweni United 3-0 last weekend.

Extreme cannot afford to drop points if they are to secure their runners-up spot ahead of the end of the first with three assignments left, including this Matchweek 9.

With 16 points, Extreme are ahead of three ahead of two sides — Mzuzu City Hammers on 3rd and Embangweni United on 4th, who share 13 points and separated by goal difference.

Mzuzu Hammers will be at home Rumphi Stadium also on Sunday hosting 7th-placed Namitete Zitha, who have amassed 11 points, sharing with Chilobwe United — placed on 6th due to goal difference.

While Embangweni will be at Mzuzu Stadium on Saturday to welcome Mighty Tigers, who are in the unenviable relegation zone at 10th place with 6 points from one win, three draws and four losses.

Joining the NBS Bank NDL from the super league, the Tigers have a lot of work cut out for them to extricate themselves from the cut-off zone while their fellow two sides from the top flight, Songwe Border and Mzuzu City Hammers are at the top.

Another interesting encounter in Matchweek 9 is between NBS Bank NDL Season 1 contestants, Ndirande Stars (5th with 12 points) and Bangwe All Stars, who are placed on 11th place.

Bangwe have only won once, drew twice and lost five times to amass 6 points — one ahead rock of the bottom of the table Changalume Barracks, who have 4 points from four draws and four losses.

Their fellow inaugural season participants, Namitete Zitha are 7th, FOMO 8th, and Ntaja United 9th — who host Changalume Barracks on Sunday at Balaka Stadium.