Red Lions Stretch Their Lead as Controversy, Drama Mark National Division League Weekend
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It was a weekend of mixed emotions in the NBS Bank National Division League as Red Lions extended their dominance at the summit with a hard-fought 3–2 comeback win over Mchinji Villa, while the rest of the chasing pack Bangwe All Stars, Baka City, and FOMO FC struggled to make up ground.
Playing at Balaka Stadium, the soldiers from Zomba showed true fighting spirit after twice coming from behind to seal all three points through Brown Gondwe’s late brace. The result means Red Lions now enjoy a commanding nine-point gap at the top of the table with 32 points from 14 matches.
Head coach Malumbo Mkandawire praised his charges for their determination but admitted that Villa made life difficult.
“It was one of our toughest matches this season. Mchinji Villa are desperate to survive relegation, so they fought hard. But I’m proud of my boys for showing character and belief,” said Mkandawire.
However, the victory did not sit well with Villa’s camp. Team manager Chifuniro Chomkokoma accused the match officials of bias, claiming a “dubious penalty” cost them valuable points.
“Refereeing decisions continue to frustrate small teams. We were the better side, but it seems some teams are being helped to reach the Super League,” fumed Chomkokoma.
Elsewhere, in Mulanje, FOMO FC claimed a narrow 1–0 win over Namitete Zitha courtesy of Hopeson Adriano’s late strike. Despite the win, coach Jimmy Zakazaka lamented his team’s poor display.
“We were not at our best. We only had one clear chance, which we utilized. We need to improve if we are to challenge for promotion,” Zakazaka said.
At the other end, assistant coach Martin Mtheto Mkamanga admitted Zitha’s finishing let them down.
“We dominated possession but wasted several chances. This is our third consecutive loss, and morale is getting low,” he said.
In Mzuzu, Ndirande Stars continued their resurgence with a 1–0 away win over Jenda United, thanks to Maclay Chiwaya’s 70th-minute goal. The result moved the Blantyre-based side to sixth position with 20 points.
Meanwhile, title hopefuls Bangwe All Stars and Baka City both lost ground in the title chase after sharing the spoils in a tense goalless draw at Mpira Stadium. Baka had an early goal disallowed and struck the post late in the match, leaving both sides frustrated.
Bangwe’s coach Isaac “Jomo” Osman admitted his side were outplayed.
“We underestimated them. We didn’t play well at all. It’s only by luck that we didn’t concede,” he said.
His counterpart Victor Mwakhwawa of Baka City pointed fingers at the referees, saying poor officiating robbed them of victory.
“Our goal was clean. It’s disappointing, but we will not give up. We are still pushing for promotion,” Mwakhwawa insisted.
As it stands, Baka City remain second with 23 points, Bangwe sit third with 21, while Mitundu Baptist could climb to second if they beat Ntaja United on Sunday.
With several rounds still to play, the National Division League title race promises more twists, drama, and controversy but for now, Red Lions march on with military precision.
It was a weekend of mixed emotions in the NBS Bank National Division League as Red Lions extended their dominance at the summit with a hard-fought 3–2 comeback win over Mchinji Villa, while the rest of the chasing pack Bangwe All Stars, Baka City, and FOMO FC struggled to make up ground.
Playing at Balaka Stadium, the soldiers from Zomba showed true fighting spirit after twice coming from behind to seal all three points through Brown Gondwe’s late brace. The result means Red Lions now enjoy a commanding nine-point gap at the top of the table with 32 points from 14 matches.
Head coach Malumbo Mkandawire praised his charges for their determination but admitted that Villa made life difficult.
“It was one of our toughest matches this season. Mchinji Villa are desperate to survive relegation, so they fought hard. But I’m proud of my boys for showing character and belief,” said Mkandawire.
However, the victory did not sit well with Villa’s camp. Team manager Chifuniro Chomkokoma accused the match officials of bias, claiming a “dubious penalty” cost them valuable points.
“Refereeing decisions continue to frustrate small teams. We were the better side, but it seems some teams are being helped to reach the Super League,” fumed Chomkokoma.
Elsewhere, in Mulanje, FOMO FC claimed a narrow 1–0 win over Namitete Zitha courtesy of Hopeson Adriano’s late strike. Despite the win, coach Jimmy Zakazaka lamented his team’s poor display.
“We were not at our best. We only had one clear chance, which we utilized. We need to improve if we are to challenge for promotion,” Zakazaka said.
At the other end, assistant coach Martin Mtheto Mkamanga admitted Zitha’s finishing let them down.
“We dominated possession but wasted several chances. This is our third consecutive loss, and morale is getting low,” he said.
In Mzuzu, Ndirande Stars continued their resurgence with a 1–0 away win over Jenda United, thanks to Maclay Chiwaya’s 70th-minute goal. The result moved the Blantyre-based side to sixth position with 20 points.
Meanwhile, title hopefuls Bangwe All Stars and Baka City both lost ground in the title chase after sharing the spoils in a tense goalless draw at Mpira Stadium. Baka had an early goal disallowed and struck the post late in the match, leaving both sides frustrated.
Bangwe’s coach Isaac “Jomo” Osman admitted his side were outplayed.
“We underestimated them. We didn’t play well at all. It’s only by luck that we didn’t concede,” he said.
His counterpart Victor Mwakhwawa of Baka City pointed fingers at the referees, saying poor officiating robbed them of victory.
“Our goal was clean. It’s disappointing, but we will not give up. We are still pushing for promotion,” Mwakhwawa insisted.
As it stands, Baka City remain second with 23 points, Bangwe sit third with 21, while Mitundu Baptist could climb to second if they beat Ntaja United on Sunday.
With several rounds still to play, the National Division League title race promises more twists, drama, and controversy but for now, Red Lions march on with military precision.
It was a weekend of mixed emotions in the NBS Bank National Division League as Red Lions extended their dominance at the summit with a hard-fought 3–2 comeback win over Mchinji Villa, while the rest of the chasing pack Bangwe All Stars, Baka City, and FOMO FC struggled to make up ground.
Playing at Balaka Stadium, the soldiers from Zomba showed true fighting spirit after twice coming from behind to seal all three points through Brown Gondwe’s late brace. The result means Red Lions now enjoy a commanding nine-point gap at the top of the table with 32 points from 14 matches.
Head coach Malumbo Mkandawire praised his charges for their determination but admitted that Villa made life difficult.
“It was one of our toughest matches this season. Mchinji Villa are desperate to survive relegation, so they fought hard. But I’m proud of my boys for showing character and belief,” said Mkandawire.
However, the victory did not sit well with Villa’s camp. Team manager Chifuniro Chomkokoma accused the match officials of bias, claiming a “dubious penalty” cost them valuable points.
“Refereeing decisions continue to frustrate small teams. We were the better side, but it seems some teams are being helped to reach the Super League,” fumed Chomkokoma.
Elsewhere, in Mulanje, FOMO FC claimed a narrow 1–0 win over Namitete Zitha courtesy of Hopeson Adriano’s late strike. Despite the win, coach Jimmy Zakazaka lamented his team’s poor display.
“We were not at our best. We only had one clear chance, which we utilized. We need to improve if we are to challenge for promotion,” Zakazaka said.
At the other end, assistant coach Martin Mtheto Mkamanga admitted Zitha’s finishing let them down.
“We dominated possession but wasted several chances. This is our third consecutive loss, and morale is getting low,” he said.
In Mzuzu, Ndirande Stars continued their resurgence with a 1–0 away win over Jenda United, thanks to Maclay Chiwaya’s 70th-minute goal. The result moved the Blantyre-based side to sixth position with 20 points.
Meanwhile, title hopefuls Bangwe All Stars and Baka City both lost ground in the title chase after sharing the spoils in a tense goalless draw at Mpira Stadium. Baka had an early goal disallowed and struck the post late in the match, leaving both sides frustrated.
Bangwe’s coach Isaac “Jomo” Osman admitted his side were outplayed.
“We underestimated them. We didn’t play well at all. It’s only by luck that we didn’t concede,” he said.
His counterpart Victor Mwakhwawa of Baka City pointed fingers at the referees, saying poor officiating robbed them of victory.
“Our goal was clean. It’s disappointing, but we will not give up. We are still pushing for promotion,” Mwakhwawa insisted.
As it stands, Baka City remain second with 23 points, Bangwe sit third with 21, while Mitundu Baptist could climb to second if they beat Ntaja United on Sunday.
With several rounds still to play, the National Division League title race promises more twists, drama, and controversy but for now, Red Lions march on with military precision.
Red Lions Stretch Their Lead as Controversy, Drama Mark National Division League Weekend
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