* He is chased by Hussein Sanudi of Ntaja United who amassed 6 goals also from 11 matches played
* While three have 5 goals apiece also from 11 matches — Phillip Mtika (Mzuzu City Hammers); Slay Anthony (Extreme FC); and Emmanuel Munthali (Songwe Border United)
By Duncan Mlanjira
From 11 matches played of the first round of the NBS Bank National Division League (NDL), Songwe Border United’s Dickson Mwangonde-Mogha is leading the race for the Golden Boot with 7 goals scored in the first round.
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He is chased by Hussein Sanudi of Ntaja United who amassed 6 goals also from 11 matches played while three have 5 goals apiece also from 11 matches — Phillip Mtika (Mzuzu City Hammers); Slay Anthony (Extreme FC); and Emmanuel Munthali (Songwe Border United).
With four apiece are; Alexander Cosmas (Namitete Zitha), Menard Magawa (Embangweni United), Steven Jafali (Chilobwe United), and Sebastian Chinsomba (FOMO FC).
After scoring five goals, Songwe Border’s Emmanuel Munthali also made five assists, followed by teammate Tendai Phiri with three alongside Changalume’s Blessings Malemia, Extreme’s Tonny Phiri, Ndirande Stars’ Coranzo Zonda.
Goals by team are 19 each from Songwe Border United and Mzuzu City Hammers, 16 each from Extreme and Chilobwe United, 14 from Embangweni, 12 from Ndirande Stars, 11 from Ntaja United, 10 each from Bangwe All Stars, Namitete Zitha and Changalume Barracks, nine from Mighty Tigers and six from FOMO.
From all first round’s 11 matches played, Changalume Barracks’ Watson Kondowe made the most appearances having played in 1,014 minutes, from by Extreme FC’ duo of Francis Pukusu & Joseph’s Banda in 1,003 minutes, Songwe’s Isaac Mhango (990 minutes), Extreme’s Chifundo Ngonjera (986) and Aubrey Madongo Mwale of Ndirande Stars (946).
Namitete Zitha were booked the most by the referees as they accumulated 20 yellow cards and one red card, followed by Changalume Baracks and Mighty Tigers at 17 apiece; and 15 each to Extreme, FOMO, Ndirande Stars and Ntaja United; 14 to Songwe Border, Chilobwe and Bangwe All Stars; 13 to Mzuzu City Hammers and 10 to Embangweni United.
Ntaja United had three players sent off followed by two from Mzuzu City Hammers and one each from FOMO, Mighty Tigers, Songwe Border, Chilobwe United, Extreme FC and Namitete Zitha.
The Season 2 first round — that concluded on August 23 — has Songwe Border at the summit through goal difference after sharing 25 points with Extreme FC.
On 3rd place with 20 points are Mzuzu City Hammers, also sharing with Embangweni United who are placed 4th while Chilobwe United amassed 15 points to perch at 5th place.
Chilobwe United share 15 points with Namitete Zitha (placed on 6th) and Ntaja United (7th) while Ndirande accumulated 14 points to place themselves at 8th, the cutting off point for relegation.
Thus four will go into the second round to fight against being demoted — FOMO FC (9th with 12 points); Mighty Tigers (10th/9pts); Bangwe All Stars (11th/6pts); and Changalume Barracks (12th/4pts).
Of the four teams, two participated in the inaugural season — FOMO and Bangwe All Stars, while Changalume qualified after being champions of the Eastern Region League.
Mighty Tigers, who got demoted from the top flight, have a lot of work cut out for them to try and extricate themselves from the relegation zone to escape the embarrassment of being demoted once more.
The Tigers claimed their second win by beating Ndirande Stars 1-0 in the first round’s Matchweek 11.
The five teams at the top are all new contestants as Songwe and Mzuzu Hammers joined the 2nd tier league after being demoted from the top flight, while Extreme, Embangweni and Chilobwe United were champions of the Central and Southern regional leagues respectively.
The Season 1 contestants include Namitete Zitha on 6th, Ntaja United (7th) and Ndirande Stars (8th).
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