Mighty Tigers have secured their second victory of the 2026/27 NBS Bank National Division League campaign after edging Ndirande Stars 1-0 at Zomba Stadium this afternoon.
The victory capped a memorable second match in charge for newly appointed Mighty Tigers head coach, Mabvuto Lungu, who saw his side withstand sustained pressure from Ndirande before Mwai Banda struck the decisive goal in the 68th minute.
Ndirande, who started the match brightly, dominated the opening exchanges and repeatedly threatened the Tigers defence.
Madalitso Jeffrey came close in the 10th minute, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Duncan Kumimba, while Macray Chiwaya later squandered a glorious opportunity when he miscued from close range.
Mighty Tigers gradually grew into the contest and nearly took the lead before the interval when Alex Banda’s well-struck free-kick was tipped over the bar by Ndirande goalkeeper, Hamidu Msopa.
The second half produced a more open contest, with both sides pushing for a breakthrough.
The decisive moment came in the 68th minute when Mathews Sibale headed the ball across the box following a Tigers attack, allowing Mwai Banda, who was later named Man of the Match, to slide in and finish to give Mighty Tigers the lead.
Ndirande were handed a golden opportunity to level matters six minutes later after Gift Simbi handled the ball inside the box. However, Khareed Allie’s poorly struck penalty was comfortably saved by Kumimba.
The hosts continued to pile pressure on the Tigers in the closing moments, with Ndirande repeatedly knocking on the door for an equaliser.
Jeffrey had another excellent opportunity with the goal at his mercy deep into stoppage time but fired over the bar.
Despite seven minutes of added time and further appeals for penalties, Mighty Tigers held firm to claim all three points.
The result gives Tigers a much-needed second win as they look to revive their campaign after a difficult opening half of the season.
Lungu was pleased with the result in only his second game at the helm, although he admitted his side did not start the match well.
He said the victory was important as he begins the process of rebuilding the team, adding that he intends to use the second round to unveil a much-improved Tigers side.
“We started slowly, but I am happy that we have won the game. We will reorganise the team and, in the second round, we will come full throttle,” Lungu said.
For Ndirande Coach Dida Zingwangwa, the defeat was particularly frustrating because of the opportunities his charges created but failed to convert.
Zingwangwa also pointed to the depleted nature of his squad, saying injuries and the departure of some players have left the team short of options.
“We created chances but wasted them. We have a depleted squad because of injuries and some players have left, so that has also affected us,” Zingwangwa said.
The defeat means Ndirande finish the first round having missed an opportunity to strengthen their position in the upper half of the table, while Mighty Tigers can take renewed confidence into the second half of the campaign.