Mitundu Baptist have displaced Baka City from second place in the NBS Bank National Division League following contrasting results in Saturday’s penultimate fixtures.
Baka City were held to a 1 to 1 draw by champions Red Lions at Balaka Stadium, while Mitundu Baptist secured a 2 to 1 victory over Mchinji Villa at Malili Ground.
Going into the weekend, Baka City were runners up on 39 points, one ahead of Mitundu Baptist, and needed a win away to maintain their position. However, the champions were in no mood to spoil their coronation celebrations.
Red Lions, who earned promotion to the TNM Super League for the 2026 season alongside Baka City and Mitundu Baptist, took the lead in the 41st minute through Matthews Simbeyi. Baka City levelled matters in the 75th minute via Bongani Munthali.
At Malili Ground, Mitundu Baptist striker Raheem Mtondera extended his tally to 25 goals to seal the NBS Bank NDL Golden Boot after opening the scoring in the 33rd minute.
Mchinji Villa, who still harboured mathematical hopes of survival, equalised four minutes later when Limbani Manyamba converted from the penalty spot. However, Mitundu Baptist reclaimed the lead in the 67th minute through Samson Phiri following an assist from Mtondera.
The result confirmed Mchinji Villa’s relegation to the Central Region Football League, while Chintheche United also dropped to the Northern Region League after a 3 to 0 home defeat to FOMO FC at Rumphi Stadium.
FOMO FC, relegated from the TNM Super League in 2024, maintained fourth place. They went ahead in the 10th minute through Mcphen Mdolo after an assist from Gray Thomas, before Thomas doubled the lead two minutes later with a solo effort past the defence and goalkeeper Justin Bonongwe.
Chintheche United earned a penalty in the 17th minute, but FOMO goalkeeper Joseph Gerald redeemed himself by saving Robin Chioko’s spot kick after conceding the foul. Chitsanzo Saidi sealed the win in the 72nd minute.
Fifth place was secured by Namitete Zitha despite a 1 to 0 loss to Ntaja United, with Prince Mwase scoring the decisive goal in the 55th minute. The result saw Ntaja United finish eighth, while Namitete Zitha held on to fifth ahead of sixth placed Ndirande Stars.
Bangwe All Stars finished seventh after a 2 to 2 draw with relegated Jenda United at Kasungu Stadium. Bangwe took the lead through Moses Gunde in the 29th minute before Rodrick Maluza equalised for Jenda on the stroke of half time.
Bangwe regained the advantage in the 51st minute through Madalitso Mwachumu, but Jenda levelled again seven minutes later to end the campaign with six points from one win and three draws.
At the bottom of the table, Jenda United finished 12th, Chilumba Barracks placed 11th, and Chintheche United ended ninth, all returning to the Northern Region Football League. Mchinji Villa, who finished 10th, will compete in the Central Region Football League next season.
