* As Chintheche United contribute three players with two each from Ndirande Stars and Bangwe All Stars
* And one each from leaders Red Lions, Namitete Zitha, Baka City and Chilumba Barracks
By Duncan Mlanjira
The exceptional performance of four of the six Man of the Match winners in Week 6 of the NBS Bank National Division League (NDL), have made the grade for the Team of the Week — Mapopa Munthali (Chilumba Barracks), Seleman Mussah (Bangwe All Stars, Chisomo Simeon (Ndirande Stars) and Matthews Simbeye (Red Lions).
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The other two Week 6 man of the match winners were John Mkumbira of Chintheche United and Baka City’s Joseph Mwambungu in the Team of the Week in which Chintheche United have contributed three players — goalkeeper, Justin Bonongwe; defender, Manase Mlenga and attacking midfielder, Alexander Cosmas.
Two each are from Ndirande Stars (defender Simeon & forward Madalitso Geoffrey) and Bangwe All Stars (midfielders Mussah & Moses Gunda) and one each from leaders Red Lions (midfielder Matthews Simbeye), Baka City (defender Iydana Kashombe and Chilumba Barracks (Mapopa Munthali).
Munthali earned his Man of the Match trophy when Chilumba Barracks drew 2-2 with Namitete Zitha); Seleman Mussah played exceptionally when he scored a brace as Bangwe All Stars beat Mchinji Villa 5-2 while Madalitso Geoffrey was on top of his game scoring the 3rd goal when Ndirande Stars beat FOMO FC 3-2.
Matthews Simbeye’s all-important goal when Red Lions beat tough Ntaja United 1-0 in the 82nd minute made him a standout as he propelled the Zomba-based military side to the top of the league standings.
The Lions have now engaged extra gear in their campaign for the NBS Bank National Division League (NDL) 2025 title as well as qualification into the elite TNM Super League — opening a 3-point lead.
Ahead of the match, they were second but tying on 12 points with Mitundu Baptist, who lost 1-3 to Chintheche United on Saturday.
It has been a weekend of goals galore as on Saturday, Chilumba Barracks drew 2-2 with Namitete Zitha and on Sunday afternoon, FOMO FC losing 2-3 to visiting Ndirande Stars at Mulanje Park; Bangwe All Stars beating Mchinji Villa 5-2 and Baka City triumphing over Jenda United 2-0.
Following the 5-2 win over Mchinji Villa, Bangwe All Stars moved to 3rd place, tying on 12 points with Mitundu Baptist, who are 2nd following goal difference separation. Bangwe have so far scored 12 goals and conceded 7 while Mitundu Baptist have 11 goals against 5.
After their 3-1 win over Mitundu Baptist on Saturday that earn total of 11 points, Namitete Zitha temporarily took 4th position, jumping from 7th, but were pushed to 6th after Sunday’s results.
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Going into their match against Jenda United, Baka City were on 7th and the 2-0 win has placed them on 4th with 12 points sharing with Bangwe All Stars and Mitundu Baptist — and again separated by goal difference.
This is going to be a roller coaster race for the inaugural NBS Bank NDL title in which three teams will earn promotion in the elite TNM Super League.
