NBS Bank National Division League leaders Songwe Border United will be looking to protect their three-point lead when they host FOMO FC at Karonga Stadium on Saturday in one of the key Matchweek Nine fixtures.
Songwe have enjoyed a strong campaign so far, winning six of their eight matches, drawing once and losing only once. Their only defeat came against Ndirande Stars at Zomba Stadium in Matchweek Six.
Since that setback, Songwe have responded strongly by winning their next two matches to move to 19 points, three ahead of second-placed Extreme FC.
FOMO, who sit eighth with 11 points, also have only one defeat this season, but the Mulanje-based side have drawn five times and won twice, making Saturday’s encounter another important test for the leaders.
Songwe will also be looking to striker Tendai Phiri, who has been in fine form after earning back-to-back Player of the Match awards in victories over Chilobwe United and Mighty Tigers.
In both matches, Tendai scored and also provided an assist, underlining his growing influence in Songwe’s title push. His form also earned him a place in the Matchweek Seven Best XI alongside teammates Abraham Mwandenga and Mwiza Chiona.
Songwe started the season with a 2-2 draw against Ntaja United before beating Mzuzu City Hammers 1-0, Bangwe All Stars 2-1, Embangweni United 2-1 and Extreme FC 3-1. They later lost 1-0 to Ndirande Stars before bouncing back with wins over Chilobwe United and Mighty Tigers.
Meanwhile, Extreme FC will host Chilobwe United at Owen Malijani Stadium in Mchinji on Sunday as they look to keep pressure on the leaders.
Extreme, who are second with 16 points, cannot afford to drop points as they are only three ahead of third-placed Mzuzu City Hammers and fourth-placed Embangweni United, who both have 13 points.
Chilobwe go into the match with confidence after beating Embangweni United 3-0 last weekend.
Mzuzu City Hammers will also be in action on Sunday when they host seventh-placed Namitete Zitha at Rumphi Stadium. Namitete have 11 points, the same as Chilobwe United, but are separated by goal difference.
Embangweni United will host Mighty Tigers at Mzuzu Stadium on Saturday. Tigers, who were relegated from the top flight alongside Songwe Border United and Mzuzu City Hammers, are still struggling in the second tier and sit 10th with six points from one win, three draws and four defeats.
Another interesting Matchweek Nine fixture will see Ndirande Stars host Bangwe All Stars. Ndirande are fifth with 12 points, while Bangwe are 11th with six points after one win, two draws and five defeats.
Bottom-placed Changalume Barracks, who have four points from four draws and four defeats, will travel to Balaka Stadium to face ninth-placed Ntaja United on Sunday.
With three matches remaining before the end of the first round, the race for the title, promotion places and survival remains tight across the table.
