Three teams, Mitundu Baptist, Bangwe All Stars and Namitete Zitha are chasing each other for honours in NBS Bank National Division League (NDL) after each won their opening two games played so far.
They each have six points with Mitundu Baptist taking the lead having been separated by goal difference in which they have scored 7 without conceding.
Bangwe All Stars, who played in the top flight TNM Super League for a few seasons before being relegated in 2024, are second in the newly-introduced NBS Bank National Division League having scored 4 goals and conceding one while Namitete Zitha are third through their two goals scored without conceding.
Baka City, who spent just a season in the TNM Super League 2024, come 4th having played 3 games in which they one once and drew two to garner 5 points.
Also in contest having played two games each are Ntaja United on 5th with 4 points; Chintheche United on 6th also with 4 points while another former TNM Super League side, Red Lions are 7th with 3 points.
At the bottom of the 12-member NBS Bank National Division League without a point from two games, are Chilumba Barracks (10th); FOMO FC (11th); and Jenda United (12th).
The Mulanje-based FOMO FC also played out one season in the TNM Super League 2024 and their next fixture is against fellow bottom of the table Jenda United at home, Mulanje Park on Saturday while Chilumba Barracks date Ndirande Stars on Sunday at Mpira Stadium.
Bangwe All Stars will be hosted by Ntaja United at Balaka Stadium on Saturday; Red Lions to host 6th-placed Chintheche United at Balaka Stadium on Sunday while the leaders, Mitundu Baptist take on 3rd-placed Namitete Zitha.
This is the inaugural National Division League (NDL) sponsored by NBS Bank — FAM’s strong partner of the football season opener, the Charity Shield.
It kicked off on May 24, 2025 at Mchinji Community Centre with an opening match between Villa United and Mitundu Baptist and to make the clubs have adequate financial support to help them fulfill their fixtures, FAM’s Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting agreed to double the starter-packs for each participating team from K7.5 million to K15 million.
At least 15 football venues were identified for this special league that include Rumphi Stadium, Mulanje Park, Balaka Stadium and Mchinji Community Centre and whenever there is an opportunity, their matches will be played in stadia that host Super League games.
At the media briefing FAM conducted in conjunction with the league’s sponsor, NBS Bank at Mpira Village in Blantyre on May 9 on preparations for the league’s kickoff; the Association’s President Fleetwood Haiya added that the EXCO would “like to see NDL teams getting used to high standard venues as they fight for elite league promotion”.
Haiya also announced that the NDL clubs have been asked to ensure that at least 30% of their squads have players aged 20 and below, saying: “The aim of the NDL is not only to enhance the quality of our football but also ensuring that we nurture up-and-coming talents.”
NBS Bank injected K982 million into the league for three seasons and present at the press briefing was Chief Operations Officer, Shadrick Chikusilo, who said they believe they made the right choice to partner FAM in its football transformation agenda.
“This league will take our brand everywhere and boost the quality of football in the country,” he had said.
The 12 team championship replaces the regional football leagues such as ThumbsUp Southern Region League Premier Division and Chipiku Stores Central Region Premier League Premier Division as Malawi’s second-tier league.
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.
According to FAM competitions & communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka, NDL’s top-three teams will qualify for the 2026 TNM Super League while the bottom-four teams will be relegated to the regional leagues.
“As you know, we now have four football regions following the establishment of Eastern Region,” he said. “Therefore, the relegation of four NDL teams will create space for champions of the South, Centre, North and East.”
Thus 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.
