The NBS Bank National Division League resumes this weekend after a one-week break, with the headline fixture set to be the clash between Mighty Tigers and leaders Songwe Border United at Mpira Stadium on Saturday.
The match brings together two sides that were relegated from the elite league last season, but they head into the encounter in contrasting positions. Songwe Border United lead the table with 16 points, while Mighty Tigers are in 10th place with six points and remain in the relegation zone.
Songwe will be determined to protect their lead, with second-placed Extreme FC just one point behind on 15 points. Embangweni United are third with 13 points, making the title race tight as teams head into the final four matches of the first round.
For Tigers, the match presents another tough test as they look to move away from the bottom four. The Kau Kau Boys have found the second-tier league highly competitive, managing one win, three draws and three defeats so far.
They are two points behind ninth-placed Namitete Zitha and eighth-placed Chilobwe United, who are both on eight points.
Namitete will host seventh-placed Ntaja United at Owen Malijani Stadium in Mchinji on Sunday, while Chilobwe United will face third-placed Embangweni United at Mpira Stadium on Monday in another important fixture.
Fourth-placed Ndirande Stars, who have 11 points, will host second-placed Extreme FC at Zomba Stadium on Saturday in another key match involving teams chasing the top places.
FOMO FC, who are fifth with 11 points and remain the only unbeaten side in the league, will host sixth-placed Mzuzu City Hammers at Mulanje Park on Sunday.
Matchweek Eight will open on Friday when bottom-placed Bangwe All Stars host 11th-placed Changalume Barracks at Mpira Stadium. Bangwe have two points, while Changalume have four, making the match crucial in the fight to move away from the bottom of the table.
A win for Bangwe would see them move above Changalume, while victory for the military side would strengthen their push to climb out of the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Chilobwe United have appointed former FCB Nyasa Big Bullets interim coach Gilbert Chirwa as Technical Director, replacing the late Rodgers Yasin.
Chilobwe United Public Relations Officer Julio Chimbuzi told the Malawi News Agency that Chirwa has joined the club on a one-year performance-based contract as the team pushes for promotion to the FDH Bank Premiership.
“We have appointed Gilbert Chirwa because of his experience. We want to maintain the technical training that Chilobwe United players were receiving under our previous technical director,” said Chimbuzi.
“Our target is to take Chilobwe United to the Premiership next year as we continue building a strong foundation for the team,” he added.
Chilobwe United were formed in 2024 and quickly rose through the lower divisions before earning promotion to the NBS Bank National Division League.
