Ahead of the resumption of the NBS Bank National Division League (NDL) for Week 8 this weekend, after a one weekend break, Mitundu Baptist FC’s marksman, Raheem Mtondera, will be looking to increase his tally of goals as leading top scorer at 10 goals — five away from runner-up Madalitso Geoffrey of Ndirande Stars.
Mitundu Baptist FC, who have struggled on the road so far, are away at Mulanje Park to face hosts FOMO FC on Sunday — sitting at second position with 15 points in the inaugural second tier national league, being led by Red Lions at 18 points.
The race for the Golden Boot has Mtondera at 10, Madalitso Geoffrey at five and a pack of three at four goals apiece — Chilumba Barracks’ Matorino Clement, Chintheche United’s Jimmy Kalanje and Rashid Chisomo of FOMO FC).
At three goals apiece are Abel Gerald (Red Lions), Chitsanzo Saidi (FOMO FC), Dyson Moffat & Seleman Mussah (both for Bangwe All Stars).
Meanwhile, on Saturday, July 26, the leaders Red Lions hosts Ndirande Stars (9th) at Balaka Stadium; 3rd-placed Baka City are away at Rumphi Stadium to Chintheche United (6th) while rock bottom-placed Jenda United (12th) will host Chilumba Barracks (10th) at Kasungu Stadium.
And on Sunday, July 27, 4th-placed Namitete Zitha are away to Blantyre from Lilongwe to face hosts Bangwe All Stars (5th) v at Mpira Stadium; Ntaja United (7th) hosting Mchinji Villa (11th) as FOMO FC host Mtondera and his Mitundu Baptist at Mulanje Park.
Mtondera has so far scored two hat-tricks — the first in the inaugural match in 4-0 triumph against Mchinji Villa; the second in Match Week 2 when Mitundu Baptist beat Jenda United 3-0 — and he has a brace to his name in 2-1 win over Bangwe All Stars in Week 7 that also earned him Man of the Match award and the position in Match Week 7 Team.
He has returned to this squad that highly-performing players earn every Match Week having first been in it after the opening match of the inaugural NBS Bank NDL at Mchinji Community Ground on May 24.
His performance on that Match Week 1 — played in front of FAM president Fleetwood Haiya and a high level NBS Bank management — also earned him the Player of the Match award.
In Week 3, he failed to score in the match they won 2-1 against Namitete Zitha FC through goals from Horace Mchoma and Josophat Kwalira, who had been assisting Mtondera for his goals.
When Mitundu beat Chilumba Barracks FC 1-0, Mtondera was again on the scoresheet through a late goal (90+1′) from the penalty spot — and again winning the Player of the Match accolade.
When they lost 1-3 to Chintheche FC in Match Week 6, Mtondera replied for Mitundu in 45+3’ after been two goals down through goals from Chintheche’s Manase Mulenga (15′) and Jimmy Kalanje (45′) — but Njakwa Mkumbira made sure the hosts carried the day when he scored in 90+5′.
He then took his tally to 10 in beating resurrected immediate past participants of the top flight TNM Super League, Bangwe All Stars 2-1 at Civo Stadium — earning the place for the Match Week 7 Team, in which he was paired upfront with Namitete Zitha’s Matthews Hamza.
In a 4-3-1-2 formation, the attacking midfielder is FOMO FC’s Thomas Grey with the central midfield being entrusted in Tambulani Mwale (Baka City); Batcha Mgambo (Mitundu Baptist) and Mphatso Magalasi (Red Lions).
Mitundu have contributed three in the team as Leo Kachitsa has been included in defence along with Ndirande Stars’ Aubrey Mwale, Namitete Zitha’s Precious Fwetse and Baka City’s Lloyd Siyeni — to protect the goalkeeper, Stephano Harrison of Ndirande Stars.
