The Football Association of Malawi has released the list of nominees for the 2025/26 NBS Bank National Division League individual player awards.
Five accolades will be contested, namely Player of the Season, Midfielder of the Season, Defender of the Season, Best Goalkeeper and Top Goal Scorer.
The Top Goal Scorer and Best Goalkeeper awards have already been decided. Raheem Mtondera of Mitundu Baptist clinched the Golden Boot after finishing the campaign as the league’s leading scorer, while Omary Hamiss of Baka City has been named Goalkeeper of the Season after recording the most clean sheets during the season.
The Player of the Season award will be contested by Mtondera, alongside Red Lions duo Mphatso Magaleta and Zikhole Ngulube.
Magaleta has also earned a nomination in the Midfielder of the Season category, where he will compete against Alexander Cosmas of Namitete Zitha and Chitsanzo Saidi of FOMO FC.
In the Defender of the Season category, Ngulube is once again nominated and will battle for the accolade alongside Mwiza Chiona of Baka City and Lloyd Chilenga of Ntaja United.
The winners of the awards will be announced during the FAM Annual Football Awards, scheduled to take place on 6 March 2026 at COMESA Hall.
Player of the Season
Name: Rahim Mtondera
Position: Forward
Club: Mitundu Baptist
Number of games Played: 18
Number of games started: 18
Total Minutes played: 1767
POTM: 8
Goals:25
Rahim Mtondera enjoyed an outstanding season, scoring 25 goals in 18 matches averaging goals per match to play a pivotal role in guiding his team to promotion to the elite league. He was a model of consistency throughout the campaign, finding the back of the net against every team in the competition.
Name: Mphatso Magaleta
Position: Midfielder
Club: Red Lions
Number of games Played: 20
Number of games started: 19
Total Minutes played: 1548
POTM: 1
Assists: 3
Goals: 6
Mphatso Magaleta was instrumental for Red Lions, guiding the team to the inaugural NBS Bank National Division League title. He also finished the campaign as Red Lions’ top goal scorer, underlining his importance to the historic triumph.
Name: Zikhole Ngulube
Position: Defender
Club: Red Lions
Number of games Played: 19
Number of games started: 19
Total Minutes played: 1574
POTM: 2
Clean sheets: 11
Goals: 1
Ngulebe was outstanding and a solid pillar at the back for Red Lions. He featured in 19 of 22 matches, scored one goal, and helped the team record 11 clean sheets during the season.
Midfielder of the Season
Name: Mphatso Magaleta
Position: Midfielder
Club: Red Lions
Number of games Played: 20
Number of games started: 19
Total Minutes played: 1548
POTM: 1
Assists: 3
Goals: 6
(Brief as above)
Name: Alexander Cosmas
Position: Midfielder
Club: Namitete Zitha
Number of games Played: 22
Number of games started: 19
Total Number of Minutes played: 1723
POTM: 3
Goals: 5
Cosmas was one of the most ever-present players for Namitete Zitha, featuring in all 22 matches and starting 19 of them. He scored five goals and guided his team to a fifth-place finish in the league.
Name: Chitsanzo Saidi
Position: Midfielder
Club: FOMO FC
Number of games Played: 22
Number of games started: 21
Total Number of Minutes played: 1755
POTM: 3
Goals: 8
Chitsanzo Saidi was influential for FOMO FC in the middle of the park, featuring in all 22 matches of the season. He scored seven goals to finish as the league’s fourth-highest scorer, helping FOMO FC secure a top-four finish, just three points short of promotion.
Defender of the season
Name: Mwiza Chiona
Position: Defender
Club: Baka City
Number of games Played: 20
Number of games started: 20
Total Minutes played: 1704
POTM: 1
Clean sheets: 11
Goals: 1
Mwiza Chiona played a key role in helping Baka City secure promotion to the Elite League after finishing second. He scored one goal and was part of a defence that saw Baka City keep kept 11 clean sheets, and concede the fewest goals in the league (15).
Name: Zikhole Ngulube
Position: Defender
Club: Red Lions
Number of games Played: 19
Number of games started: 19
Total Minutes played: 1574
POTM: 2
Clean sheets: 13
Goals: 1
(Brief as above)
Name: Lloyd Chilenga
Position: Defender
Club: Ntaja United
Number of games Played: 21
Number of games started: 21
Total Minutes played: 1854
POTM: 1
Clean sheets: 8
Goals: 3
Lloyd Chilenga was a marvel to watch for Ntaja United, featuring in 21 of 22 matches. He contributed to eight clean sheets and was also effective going forward, scoring three goals. Ntaja United conceded just 18 goals, the third-best defensive record in the league after Red Lions and Baka City.
