We look at some of the things that really ground our gears in the first half and invite you to add your own suggestions.
A feast of second-round club football awaits in the 2025/26 TNM Super League. For football fans, both die-hards and neutrals, it is a perfect opportunity to reflect on how this season stacks up against the same stage last year. From goal tallies and individual brilliance to standout rookie performances and a tightly contested title race, the contrasts reveal a fascinating snapshot of Malawian football’s ongoing evolution.
Dip in goals: Defenders, Keeper standing tall?
The most striking difference between the two campaigns lies in the goal tally. ‘Khaaa’ and ‘Khooo’ have been a rare occasion this season. After 15 rounds in 2024, the league had witnessed 278 goals—a feast for attacking football enthusiasts.
Fast forward to 2025, and that figure has dropped to 252 goals, representing a significant decline of 26 strikes. This 9.4% reduction suggests either improved defensive organisation across the league or a more cautious tactical approach by coaches.
The shift indicates that teams may have prioritised solidity at the back, with goalkeepers and defensive units stepping up their game considerably.
Despite the overall drop, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have lit up the attacking charts, leading the way with 33 goals. They are distantly followed by last season’s top scorers, Silver Strikers, who have netted 25 times. Last season, the Bankers were leading with 34 goals.
A battle of bastards
At the other end of the spectrum, it’s been a struggle for Mzuzu City Hammers and league debutants, Songwe Border United, who have scored just nine and five goals respectively.
“Komatu awa akapanda kusamala, wa 12 koloko uja uwayitana ndithu”, warned one fan (if they are not careful, relegation may come for them).
Individual excellence: Babatunde, Salima make headlines
The goal-scoring charts reveal intriguing contrasts and Malawi’s perennial inconsistencies in individual performances. Last season’s first-round leader, Kamuzu Barracks’ Zeliati Nkhoma, set the bar high with 11 goals in 15 matches. He was closely pursued by CRECK Sporting Club’s George Chaomba, who netted nine times. At the same time, a cluster of players—Isaac Kaliati, Isaac Msiska, Blessings Mwalilino, Promise Kamwendo, and Emmanuel Saviel Jr.—kept the race competitive with both goals and performance.
This season presents a more congested battle at the top. FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ Babatunde Adepoju leads with eight goals, but his tally falls three short of Nkhoma’s 2024 benchmark. Teammate Chikumbutso Salima follows closely with seven strikes, while the six-goal mark is shared by Kamuzu Barracks’ Nkhoma and John Mchema, plus Civil Service United’s Dastan Banda.
Rookie revolution vs steady integration
The 2024 season saw a dramatic rookie impact, with newcomers making an immediate impact. Creck Sporting, Baka City and FOMO were the newly promoted teams, but by the end of the first round, Baka City slumped to the bottom of the table with just 7 points, while Creck were 6th with 23 points, and FOMO FC were just one foot out of the red zone with 15 points.
This season, Songwe United have endured a baptism of fire as the league’s sole debutant. Sitting at the bottom of the table with just 2 points and a goal difference of negative 37, their struggle contrasts sharply with how some previous rookies managed their maiden campaigns. Their five goals scored represent the league’s worst attacking return, highlighting the significant step up from lower divisions.
However, two newly promoted teams have been impressive with Ekhaya FC managing to break into the top four after the first round, having collected 25 points— two more than Creck, who were the highest-ranked newly promoted teams in 2024, while Blue Eagles are 7th with 23 points.
Title race dynamics: consistency vs change
The 2024 first-round standings painted a clear picture: Silver Strikers dominated with 37 points from 15 matches, building a commanding nine-point cushion over second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers (28 points). Mzuzu City Hammers occupied third with 25 points, setting up what appeared to be a three-horse race.
This season tells a different story entirely. Only Silver Strikers and Mighty Wanderers have maintained their consistency to remain in the top three, with Hammers dropping out of the race, and they are fighting against relegation.
The title race has tightened considerably, with Mighty Wanderers leading the pack on 35 points—two points fewer than Silver Strikers managed at the same stage last year. FCB Nyasa Big Bullets trail by just one point on 34, while Silver Strikers, the 2024 pace-setters, find themselves third with 30 points.
The compressed top three, separated by only five points, promises a far more competitive second half compared to Silver Strikers’ early dominance in 2024.
Relegation battle: From tight to dire
The relegation picture presents perhaps the starkest contrast between seasons. In 2024, the bottom three were Chitipa United (12 points), Bangwe All Stars (9 points), and Baka City (7 points). While concerning, these totals suggested teams still within touching distance of safety.
This season’s relegation zone tells a more desperate tale. Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos occupy 14th with 15 points—already three points better than 2024’s bottom-placed Baka City. However, the real crisis lies with the bottom two: Mzuzu City Hammers have collapsed to 8 points. At the same time, Songwe United’s 2-point return represents one of the worst first-round performances in recent league history.
The 13-point gap between safety and bottom spot this season, compared to 2024’s more manageable margins, suggests some teams face an uphill battle that may prove insurmountable.
But the Nomads lead the way as Kings of the first round of a football fiesta.
