Red Lions took full advantage of Baka City’s slip-up to open a commanding nine-point lead at the summit of the NBS Bank National Division League (NDL) following a 3-2 victory over Mchinji Villa on Saturday at Balaka Stadium.
The win lifted Red Lions to 32 points after Match Week 14, while Baka City, who drew 0-0 with Bangwe All Stars at Mpira Stadium, remain second with 23 points.
Red Lions had to dig deep after going behind in the 18th minute through Shamiuna Watch. The hosts equalised in the 38th via Kaliwo Harawa, but Mchinji Villa restored their lead early in the second half through Juwao Davie.
The Lions, however, showed their resilience late in the game — Brown Gondwe struck twice in the 83rd and 85th minutes to complete a dramatic comeback and secure all three points, maintaining their promotion charge toward a TNM Super League return.
At Mpira Stadium, Baka City failed to capitalise on their rivals’ earlier fixture, being held to a goalless draw by 4th-placed Bangwe All Stars (21 points).
Elsewhere, Mitundu Baptist also dropped points following a 0-0 draw with Ntaja United at Balaka Stadium. The result leaves Mitundu in 3rd place with 22 points, one behind Baka City and one ahead of Bangwe.
In Mzuzu, Ndirande Stars edged Jenda United 1-0 through Marcly Chiwaya’s 70th-minute strike — a result that lifted Ndirande into 6th place (20 points), tied with FOMO FC and Namitete Zitha.
FOMO FC also registered a vital win, beating Namitete Zitha 1-0 courtesy of an 80th-minute goal from Hopson Adriano, moving up to 5th position while pushing Namitete down to 7th.
At the lower end of the table, Chintheche United and Chilumba Barracks played out a 1-1 draw, leaving them in 8th (18 points) and 10th (16 points) respectively.
Mchinji Villa, despite their spirited showing against Red Lions, remain 11th with 15 points, while Jenda United stay bottom with just five points from 14 games.
With eight games remaining, no team can afford to drop points — not even Red Lions, who, despite holding a comfortable lead, will be aware that consistency remains key.
The real battle now appears to be for second and third place, with Baka City (23 points), Mitundu Baptist (22), and Bangwe All Stars (21) all separated by just two points.
Meanwhile, the fight for survival is equally intense at the bottom, where Jenda United, with only five points, face an uphill battle to avoid relegation.
