By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE—(MaraviPost)-Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya has successfully delivered on a key manifesto promise with the completion of the inaugural NBS Bank National Division League (NDL).
The competition, which concluded on Sunday, January 10, 2026, at Balaka Stadium, saw Red Lions crowned champions after a season that exceeded expectations in terms of organization and quality of play.
From Campaign Promise to Reality
Ahead of the December 2023 FAM elections, Haiya emphasized the need for a competitive National Division League to ensure teams promoted to the elite TNM Super League were better prepared for top-flight football.
The proposal faced skepticism, with critics questioning whether FAM and participating clubs had the resources to sustain such a competition.
However, after Haiya defeated incumbent Walter Nyamilandu in the elections, he immediately began pursuing the vision.
The breakthrough came when NBS Bank committed MK320 million to sponsor the league, providing the financial foundation needed to launch the competition.
Twelve Teams, High Standards
The inaugural season featured 12 teams: three relegated from the 2024 Super League (Baka City, Bangwe All Stars, and FOMO FC) and nine from regional leagues.
The Central Region Football Association contributed Mchinji Villa, Mitundu Baptist, and Namitete Zitha. The Northern region was represented by Chintheche United, Chilumba Barracks, and Jenda United, while Ndirande Stars, Ntaja United, and Red Lions flew the flag for the South.
The competition delivered compelling football throughout the season, with teams maintaining professionalism both on and off the pitch.
Mitundu Baptist took an early lead at the top of the table, powered by striker Rahim Mtondera’s remarkable form.
The forward scored three hat-tricks in the opening rounds and finished as the league’s top scorer with 25 goals.
However, as the season progressed, Red Lions from Zomba gained momentum and eventually overtook Mitundu Baptist to claim the title.
In their final fixture on Sunday, Red Lions secured the championship with a 1-1 draw against Baka City, finishing on 47 points from 27 matches.
Mitundu Baptist defeated Mchinji Villa 2-1 at Malili to claim second place with 41 points, while Baka City finished third on 40 points.
All three teams have been promoted to the TNM Super League for the 2026 season.
At the opposite end of the table, Mchinji Villa, Jenda United, Chilumba Barracks, and Chintheche United finished in the bottom four and have been relegated to their respective regional leagues.
Speaking after the final matches, FAM President Haiya praised the secretariat for delivering a well-organized competition.
“The league has been run fairly without major issues. All teams played an equal number of games per week,” Haiya said.
Haiya also acknowledged NBS Bank’s crucial role in making the competition possible.
“Let me recognize NBS Bank, who believed in this dream and filled the gap that existed in Malawian football”, he added.
NBS Bank Chief Operations Officer Shadreck Chikusilo expressed satisfaction with the inaugural season and indicated the bank’s willingness to continue the partnership.
“We are impressed with how the inaugural season unfolded. We will sit down with FAM to map the way forward and discuss the future of this competition,” Chikusilo said.
The successful completion of the NDL represents a significant step forward for Malawian football, creating a more structured pathway for teams aspiring to compete at the highest level while providing young players with a competitive platform to develop their careers.