WINDHOEK – Namibia’s Premier League big guns African Stars, Black Africa and Tigers football clubs have all fallen by the wayside after suffering shock elimination from the Namibia Premier League (NPL) opening league cup tournament without losing a single match in the mini-league round robin tourney. The trio failed to negotiate their way past the mini- league round robin stage of the 12-team competition, despite topping their respective groups after two rounds of matches in the initial stage of the competition with four points each – only to be upstaged by less fancied opponents.
With the exception of Ali Akan’s resurgent FNB Orlando Pirates, the remaining seeded teams needed favourable results from their rivals in last weekend’s action, but failed dismally when action resumed in the 4-group tourney at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday.
Reigning champions African Stars’ aspirations to retain the cup, which they won last season under the stewardship of Akan, tumbled when coastal outfit Eleven Arrows came from a goal behind to dispatch fellow seasiders PC Blue Boys via a 3–1 score line. Both Arrows and Stars finished with the same number of points (4), but the coastal outfit advanced through a better goal scoring ratio despite having conceded 4 goals to the Reds’ 3. Ramblers triumphed over LHU Blue Waters by a solitary goal in a match of convenience with both teams already eliminated following losses in the opening round.
Civics qualified for the semifinals of the competition at the expense of Black Africa after thumping a hapless United Stars 4-1 to advance to the next round courtesy of a superior goal difference. Tura Magic demolished hapless league returnees Rundu Chiefs, scoring five unanswered goals in a one-sided match to edge ahead of big brother Tigers.
Akan, doubtlessly Namibia’s most decorated football coach remains on the verge of claiming his second league cup in succession. The often-volatile Kurdish national steered Stars to victory in the maiden edition of the competition last season.
The Ghosts, whose trophy cabinet has been gathering dust in recent years, will confront exciting youthful outfit Tura Magic as they go full out to reanimate their glory days, while the rejuvenated Eleven Arrows take on Civics in the other semifinal. The final is slated for October 5 on a yet to be confirmed venue in Windhoek, with a mouthwatering final looming between the Buccaneers and the much improved Civilians.
By Carlos Kambaekwa