Chilumba Baraccks and Mchinji Villa have maintained their NBS Bank National Division League 10th and 11th relegation zone position respectively after drawing 2-2 this Friday afternoon, June 13 at Rumphi Stadium, host venue for the military side.

It was a game that promised to be a matchup as both teams were looking to grab maximum points and the first chance for Chilumba Barracks came in the 4th minute when they won a free kick, which well taken set piece by Noah Clement was blocked by Mchinji Villa defender Madalitso Fantison.

The visitors won their first corner in the 17th minute taken by Shamiuna Watch but the soldiers’ Loti Mwaluwanda was up to it by clearing it smoothly.

It was the Chilumba Barracks’ turn to win their own first corner in the 27th and was well taken by Lotti Mwaluwanda but Yamikani Phiri’s header went wide.

The partnership of Yamikani Phiri and Glyn Msowoya strengthened Chilumba’s control of the midfield making it difficult for the visitors to break through and after three minutes of added time, the teams went for the break at 0-0.

The second half became lively from then on in which came the four goals and Chilumba Barracks made their intent known through fantastic dribbles from Febbie Nyirenda in the 47th but his final effort was weak as his shot went wide.

Four minutes later (51st), Chilumba claimed their first goal when Febbie Nyirenda’s shot was blocked by Mchinji Villa’s Madilitso Fantison and Montolino Clement who scored from the rebound.

But the home team’s joy was short lived as the visitors equalised two minutes later (59th) through Davie Juwao after receiving a header pass from captain Mazuzo Banda.

Mchinji Villa coach, Elia Phiri was first to make a change, bringing in Amos Mahira for Kelvin Mustafa in the 51st but Chilumba were unperturbed and went on to reclaim their lead and Motorino Clement’s brace in the 63rd.

He capitalised on a through ball from Yamikani Phiri, which was well set for Clement to just fulfill the neeedful.

Mchinji Villa coach, Elia Phiri made another change soon after conceding the goal, bringing in Horace Banda for Mazuzo Banda while the hosts responded with a double substitution the 66th — bringing in Innocent Mkandawire and Frank Bushago replacing Eliab Msowoya and Glyn Msowoya.

The visitors were energised as they equalised once more through Gavie Juwao who received a good pass from Amos Mahiras in the 82nd minute.

Against Mchinji Villa coach made a double substitution in the 73rd minute — bringing in Joseph Banda and Ernest Chimuvi for James Ching’amba and Shamiuna Watch to try and earn maximum points.

This prompted Chilumba”s coach, Silent Mkandawire not to stay silent three minutes later (76’) by also pulling out Febbie Nyirenda for Andrew Kabonga but the changes did not yield any more goals.

Mchinji Villa had a chance through Juwao in the 90th but goalkeeper was equal to his task and after five minutes of added time, referee Victor Msiska blew the last whistle at Rumphi Stadium.

A consolation for Chilumba Barracks was having Matorino Clement voted as Player of the Match for his excellent performance in which he scored a brace.

After the match, Mchinji Villa coach, Elia Phiri said it was a good game and while satisfied with going back home with a point, he rued the many chances they missed.

“We pressed them hard in the first half but we lost grip soon after the restart in which they took advantage and scored,” he said. “Both of us seemed to be nervous in the first half but come the second, we both started attacking.

“We created some good five chances, three of which the players should fully capitalised on just like we did with the two chances we scored from.”

The coach further said they went to Rumphi to take all three points to move away from the precarious position and going forward they will go back to the drawing board to plan well — especially to keep ball possession and utilise chances created into goals.

His counterpart Mkandawire also rued their chances, saying he was disappointed with his players’ performance, especially playing at home as an advantage.

Action continues Saturday when Mitundu Baptist, who opened a 2-point lead last weekend will face a huge test when they meet former TNM Super League side, Baka City at Karonga Stadium away from base in Lilongwe.

Mitundu Baptist enhanced their chances towards qualifying for promotion into the elite TNM Super League by winning their three opening matches after beating Namitete Zitha 2-1 last Sunday.

The defeat condemned Namitete Zitha to 5th position from 3rd place they were in the previous week from two wins — displaced by another former TNM Super League side, Red Lions, who beat Chintheche United 3-1 to earn 6 points.

Namitete Zitha will be hosted by Jenda United at Kasungu Stadium tomorrow while Red Lions will be hosted at Mpira Stadium on Sunday by 4th-placed Bangwe All Stars, who got relegated from the TNM Super League in the 2024 season.

Another TNM Super League 2024 participants, FOMO FC — who are 8th having moved from 11the — will host Ntaja United at Mulanje Park on Sunday.

Also playing Saturday afternoon are 7th-placed Chintheche United, who will host Ndirande Stars (9th) at Rumphi Stadium.

The 12-team new system has been introduced as Malawi’s second-tier league — replacing the old format used for champions of Premier Divisions of regional leagues of the Southern, Central and Northern region leagues.

With FAM’s football transformation agenda, the introduction of the NDL is believed to be the best tool for helping Malawi to attain dominance in Africa with a strong link of football pyramid, whereby the Super League is subordinated by a competitive league.

The inaugural National Division League (NDL) is being sponsored at K982 million for three seasons by NBS Bank — FAM’s strong partner of the football season opener, the Charity Shield, which kicked off on May 24, 2025 at Mchinji Community Centre with an opening match between Mchinji Villa United and Mitundu Baptist.

Each of the NDL clubs have been asked to ensure that at least 30% of their squads have players aged 20 and below as its aim is not only to enhance the quality of Malawi football but also ensuring that it nurtures up-and-coming talents.

Top-three teams will qualify for the TNM Super League 2026 while the bottom-four teams will be relegated to the regional leagues, to create space for champions of the South, Centre, North and the newly-establishment Eastern Region.

In the inaugural NDL edition, Bangwe All Stars, FOMO FC and Baka City, which were relegated from the Super League last season, joined teams that finished from second to fourth in the South, Centre and North regional leagues.

The South contributes Red Lions, Ntaja United and Ndirande Stars; the Centre ushered in Mitundu Baptist, Villa United and Namitete Zitha and the North is being represented by Chilumba Barracks, Chintheche United and Jenda United.