Ndirande Stars moved into second place in the NBS Bank National Division League after beating leaders Songwe Border United 1-0 at Zomba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
A sixth-minute goal from Rafiq Allie, who headed home from a well-delivered corner by Joseph Balakasi, was enough to hand Ndirande maximum points.
The win took Ndirande Stars to 11 points as they moved from fourth to second on the log table, displacing Embangweni United, who have 10 points.
Songwe Border United remain top despite the defeat, but the result has opened up the title race as the first round approaches its final stretch.
The situation at the top could change again after today’s match between Extreme FC and Embangweni United at Owen Malijani Stadium in Mchinji. Embangweni will be looking to reclaim second place, while Extreme, who have nine points, can also move closer to the leaders with a win.
Meanwhile, Mighty Tigers moved from 10th to ninth after a goalless draw against Ntaja United at Mpira Stadium. Tigers now have six points, while Ntaja United remain fifth with nine points.
Namitete Zitha maintained eighth place after moving out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over Bangwe All Stars on Friday. Namitete now have seven points and will remain in that position until Wednesday, 1 July, when ninth-placed Chilobwe United face seventh-placed Mzuzu City Hammers, who also have seven points.
Today, FOMO FC will host bottom-placed Changalume Barracks at Mulanje Park. FOMO, who finished fourth in the inaugural NBS Bank NDL season, are currently sixth with seven points and are now the only unbeaten side following Songwe Border United’s defeat to Ndirande Stars.
Changalume Barracks remain bottom of the 12-team table with two points from two draws.
With six matches remaining before the end of the first round, the race for the title, the three promotion places into the FDH Bank Premiership, and the battle to avoid relegation remain wide open.
