NBS Bank National Division League leaders Red Lions will step onto the pitch on Saturday knowing that victory over 10th-placed Chintheche United at Mzuzu Stadium will crown them champions of the inaugural league.
The Lions, who sit on 43 points, sealed their return to the TNM Super League last weekend after defeating Bangwe All Stars 1-0 at Balaka Stadium. A win on Sunday would take them to 46 points, an unreachable tally for runners-up Baka City, whose maximum possible points if they win their remaining three matches is 44.
Chintheche United, fighting relegation, stand between the Lions and the title. The Mzuzu side will be looking to delay Red Lions’ celebrations as they battle to climb out of the drop zone.
Meanwhile, the race for second and third place remains wide open among three teams. Baka City sit on 35 points, while Mitundu Baptist and Namitete Zitha follow closely with 29 points each. All three remain in contention for the remaining two promotion places to the TNM Super League.
Should Red Lions win on Sunday and Baka City defeat relegation-threatened Mchinji Villa (19 points) on Saturday at Karonga Stadium, focus will shift to the tight contest behind them. Mitundu and Namitete, who share 29 points, meet on Sunday at Mchinji Community Ground in a decisive fixture that could shape the promotion picture.
Other matches this weekend include Ndirande Stars (26 points) away to Chilumba Barracks (20 points) at Chitipa Stadium, FOMO FC (27 points) hosting relegated Jenda United at Kasungu Stadium, and Bangwe All Stars (7th) taking on Ntaja United (8th) at Mpira Stadium.
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has clarified that promotion and relegation rules for the TNM Super League involve no playoffs. The top three NBS Bank NDL teams will gain automatic promotion, while the bottom four will drop to their respective regional leagues. Champions from the four regional leagues will join next season’s NDL, while the bottom three TNM Super League clubs will be relegated into the division.
In the TNM Super League, Songwe United have already been confirmed relegated after collecting only six points from 28 matches, scoring nine goals and conceding 70. Mighty Tigers (26 points) and Mzuzu City Hammers (27 points) remain in danger with three matches left, while Dedza Dynamos (31 points) and MAFCO (31 points) continue their battle to avoid the drop.
