* Ntaja United moved to 3rd position from 6th after beating Jenda United 1-0 while Red Lions maintained their 2nd place beating FOMO FC 2-0
* As Mchinji Villa move from relegation zone’s 11th place to 9th after 1-1 draw with Chintheche United
* The log table currently still being led by Mitundu Baptist — but sharing on 12 points with Red Lions
By Duncan Mlanjira
Week 6 of the NBS Bank National Division League (NDL) 2025 brings another intriguing fixtures headlined by 2nd-placed Red Lions up against strong contenders, 3rd-placed Ntaja United at Balaka Stadium on Sunday.
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The race for the title of the inaugural championship is intense as Ntaja United have 10 points, two behind Red Lions (12pts), and the venue, Balaka Stadium, is used by both as home ground.
Both teams have contributed two players in the Week 5 ‘Team of the Week’ — defender Lloyd Chilenga & forward Frazer Mbewe (Ntaja); defender Ferguson Mtondo & forward Dan Nyambose (Red Lions) — and they will all want to prove their mettle against each other, setting a very fierce contest on Sunday in Balaka.
Leaders Mitundu Baptist — at 12 points sharing with Red Lions but separated by goal difference — also have a tough assignment on Sunday as they are away to Rumphi Stadium against 7th-placed Chintheche United, who have 8 points, four away from the Mitundu side.
Mitundu have contributed just one player in the Team of the Week; Tamandani Ngulube in the 4-3-1-2 formation that has John Chitseko (Chilumba Barracks) as goalkeeper; defenders Innocent Milanzi (Bangwe All Stars), Tamandani Ngulube (Mitundu Baptist), Lloyd Chilenga (Ntaja), Ferguson Mtondo (Res Lions).
Midfielders are Stephano George (Mchinji Villa), Takondwa Mphanza & Symon Chimenya (both Namitete Zitha); attacking midfielder Madalitso Safuli (Bangwe All Stars) — and the two forwards; Frazer Mbewe (Ntaja) and Dan Nyambose (Red Lions).
Other exciting matches on Sunday include 5th-placed Bangwe All Stars (9pts) hosting Mchinji Villa (9th/3pts) at Mpira Stadium and FOMO FC (8th/6pts) being visited by Ndirande Stars (10th/2pts) at Mulanje Park.
On Saturday, Jenda United, anchoring the table without a point from 5 games have a very tough assignment hosting 6th-placed former Super League side, Baka City (9pts) at Kasungu Stadium while Chilumba Barracks (11th/2pts) date Namitete Zitha (4th/10pts) at Karonga Stadium.
Last weekend, there were also some excitement, which is happening after each and every Match Week, whose assignments are witnessing movements on the log table currently still being led by Mitundu Baptist.
The shift at the top took place on Saturday in which Ntaja United were placed at 5th and following their 1-0 win through Chrispin Mankhamba over Jenda United on Sunday, the Machinga side has moved to 3rd position having earned 10 points — sharing with Namitete Zitha but separated on goal difference.
Another movement up on the ladder is for Mchinji Villa, who have moved from relegation zone’s 11th place to 9th after their 1-1 draw with Chintheche United (Amos Mahirasi & Jimmy Kalanje) earning 3 points from five games — one ahead of Ndirande Stars (10th) and Chilumba Barracks (11th) and three points away from Jenda United.
Jenda have lost all their five games scoring a meager 2 goals and conceding 12 while the team with most goals scored are Mitundu Baptist at 10 against 2 and losing just once, 0-1 against Baka City in Week 4.
At the end of the season, four teams will be relegated to pave way for the champions of the regional leagues of the South, Centre, North and the newly-establishment Eastern Region.
Despite their movement from 11th to 9th, Mchinji Villa still fall in the relegation zone and being chased by Ndirande Stars and Chilumba Barracks while TNM Super League 2024 participants, FOMO FC will be looking over their shoulders having amassed 6 points as well as Chintheche United at 7th with 8 points.
The daggers are also drawn at the top, with the two leaders sharing at 12 points while looking over their shoulders as Ntaja United and Namitete Zitha are close by with 10 points apiece — as well as Bangwe All Stars and Baka City, who share 9 points.
Red Lions beat FOMO FC 2-0 at Balaka Stadium on Saturday while Mitundu Baptist triumphed 1-0 over Chilumba Barracks FC, with Namitete Zitha drawing 0-0 with Baka City at Civo Stadium and Bangwe All Stars beating Ndirande Stars 3-1 at Mpira Stadium.
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Meanwhile, Mitundu Baptist’s Rahim Mtondera, who scored the all-important winner against Chilumba Barracks from the penalty spot in 90+1 minutes, is still the top scorer with 7 goals scored so far in the race for the Golden Boot.
He is followed by Bangwe All Stars’ Madalitso Safuli on 4 goals who scored in the 3-1 win over Ndirande Stars alongside Madalitso Geoffrey and Dyson Moffart.
Three other contenders for the Golden Boot at 3 goals apiece are Matorino Clement (Chilumba Barracks); Rashid Chiromo (FOMO FC) and Abel Gerald (Red Lions).
