Baka City, who sit second in the NBS Bank National Division League (NDL) with 32 points and seven behind leaders Red Lions on 39, are determined not to drop points as the season enters its decisive phase. They host third-placed Namitete Zitha at Karonga Stadium in one of the headline fixtures of the weekend.
With five games remaining, both Red Lions and Baka City know there is no room for error. The leaders travel to Mulanje Park to face seventh-placed FOMO FC on Saturday as they seek to protect their seven-point cushion.
After last week’s 2–0 victory over Jenda United, Baka City assistant coach Martin Nkhonya noted that most of their remaining fixtures will be played at home at Karonga Stadium. He described the venue as a “slaughterhouse” for visiting teams as Baka push for an immediate return to the TNM Super League.
“We will be very careful not to drop points,” said Nkhonya, while admitting that bottom-placed Jenda United gave them a strong challenge on Monday. “We are focused on winning the league if Red Lions drop points along the way. When we meet them in the second round, that match could be the decider.”
Red Lions were equally relieved to escape with a narrow 1–0 derby win over Ntaja United in Match Week 17. Their coach said the remaining fixtures will be tough but reaffirmed their ambition to win the NDL and return to the top flight.
Baka will be hoping FOMO FC can frustrate Red Lions on Saturday to tighten the title race — provided they themselves collect maximum points against Namitete Zitha. Their visitors are also eyeing a top-three finish, which would secure promotion to the TNM Super League.
At the start of the inaugural NDL campaign, most attention went to four former Super League sides: Red Lions, Baka City, Bangwe All Stars and FOMO FC. But Bangwe (sixth with 24 points) and FOMO (seventh with 23) have fallen off the pace, leaving them to fight instead for a third-place finish.
Standing in their way are Namitete Zitha in third with 29 points, Mitundu Baptist in fourth with 28, and Ndirande Stars in fifth with 25. The race for the final promotion slot is expected to go down to the wire.
Ndirande Stars are away to Bangwe All Stars in a key match at Mpira Stadium on Saturday, while eighth-placed Ntaja United travel to Kasungu Stadium to face bottom-placed Jenda United.
On Sunday, Chintheche United (11th) host Mchinji Villa (10th) as the two sides battle to stay above the relegation places. Four teams will drop to the regional leagues at the end of the season. Jenda United, with only five points from seventeen matches, are now staring at near-certain relegation. Chintheche and Mchinji Villa both have 18 points, separated only by goal difference, while Chilumba Barracks remain in danger on 19 points.
Ntaja United will need a strong finish as they sit on 20 points, just one ahead of Chilumba, while FOMO FC must also collect maximum points to avoid slipping into the relegation battle.
Meanwhile, Mitundu Baptist striker Raheem Mtondera extended his lead in the Golden Boot race to 17 goals after scoring a brace in their 3–0 victory over Chintheche United in Match Week 17. His performance also earned him the Man of the Match award.
