Mitundu Baptist secure 2nd place finish in NBS Bank NDL by beating Mchinji Villa in final match

* Ahead of the final match against Red Lions on Sunday, Baka were runners-up with 39 points, one ahead of Mitundu

* Thus they needed to secure all three points away but it fell to naught as Red Lions did not want to spoil their party of being crowned the champions

By Duncan Mlanjira

Baka City have been displaced from the second place of the NBS Bank National Division League (NDL) by Mitundu Baptist after drawing 1-1 with champions Red Lions at Balaka Stadium while Mitundu beat Mchinji Villa 2-1 at Malili Ground.

Ahead of the final match against Red Lions yesterday, Baka were runners-up with 39 points, one ahead of Mitundu — thus they needed to secure all three points away at Balaka Stadium but it fell to naught as Red Lions did not want to spoil their party of being crowned the champions.

The Zomba-based military side, who earned promotion into the elite TNM Super League 2026 season alongside Baka City and Mitundu Baptist, scored first in the 41st minute through Matthews Simbeyi and it took up to the 75th before Baka equalised through Bongani Munthali.

At Malili Ground in Lilongwe, Mitundu Baptist’s marksman, Raheem Mtondera, added icing to the cake as the NBS Bank NDL Golden Boot winner when he took his side into the lead in the 33rd minute — adding his tally of goals to 25.

Mchinji Villa, who had mathematical chances of escaping relegation ahead of the match, equalised four minutes later through Limbani Manyamba from the penalty spot.

But Mitundu were not outdone as they reclaimed the lead and the ultimate winner in the 67th minute through Samson Phiri following an assist from the Golden Boot winner, Raheem Mtondera.

The result condemned Mchinji Villa to be demoted to the Central Region Football League alongside Chintheche United to the Northern Region, who lost 0-3 at home at Rumphi Stadium against Mulanje-based FOMO FC.

FOMO, who were relegated from the TNM Super League 2024 season and were considered as favourites to make a quick return to the elite stage, have maintained their 4th position they were ahead of the match.

They took the lead in the 10th minute through Mcphen Mdolo after an assist from  Gray Thomas before Thomas doubling it two minutes later when he dribbled past defenders including goalkeeper Justin Bonongwe.

Chintheche earned a penalty in the 17th but FOMO goalkeeper Joseph Gerald, who committed the foul made amends by saving Robin Chioko’s spot kick while Chitsanzo Saidi hammered the last nail on the hosts in the 72nd.

The 5th spot has been claimed by Namitete Zitha, who lost 0-1 to Ntaja United scored by Prince Mwase in the 55th for Ntaja to reclaim their 8th place while Namitete Zitha have kept the 5th place despite losing 0-1 to 6th-placed Ndirande Stars.

Bangwe All Stars, who also got relegated from the TNM Super League 2024 alongside Baka City and FOMO, have ended on 7th place. In their final match, they drew 2-2 with relegated Jenda United at Kasungu Stadium.

It was a tightly fought match as the hosts wanted to salvage some pride in front of the home fans. Though Bangwe All Stars took the lead in the 29th through Moses Gunde, Jenda’s Rodrick Maluza equalised in the 45th.

Bangwe claimed the lead in the 51st through Madalitso Mwachumu but Jenda equalised seven minutes later, to finish the league with six points, earned from one win and three draws.

Thus Jenda (12th), Chilumba Barracks (11th) and Chintheche United (9th) return to the Northern Region Football League as 10th-placed Mchinji Villa head for the Central. Their places will be taken by champions from their respective regional league alongside one each from the Southern and Eastern.