… ’tis a new football season
WINDHOEK – All eyes will be on newly appointed African Stars coach Woody Jacobs when the Katutura glamour football club mount their first Namibia Premier League (NPL) Cup defence in a crucial encounter against minnows PC Blue Boys in a Group-D fixture at the Sam Nujoma Stadium tomorrow evening.
With Stars already having failed to wrest the league title away from treble champions Black Africa last season, Jacobs will be faced with the Himalayan task of subjecting his coaching pedigree to scrutiny, while he will also be aiming to get his tenure off to a good start with a likely win over the Swakopmund-based outfit. A victory for Stars would be like salve to their hard-to-please supporters and a major incentive for the players to embark on a quest to retain the coveted League Cup, which they won last year under the guidance of departed mentor Ali Akan. But in the likes of Deon Hotto, Edwin Korukuze, Johannes ‘Boetitjie’ Seibeb, Bradley ‘Asprilla’ Wermann, Freedom Puriza, Riaan Cloete amongst others, Jacobs has enough depth in his squad to brush aside any difficulties Blue Boys may pose. Also in tomorrow’s Group-B action reigning champions Black Africa will also take to the field with a clash against United Stars at the Sam Nujoma Stadium at 15h00, while FNB Orlando Pirates will lock horns with coastal outfit Blue Waters at 13h00, also at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in a Group-A tie. Tigers will be heading the Group-C fixture when they take on Rundu Chiefs in what promises to be a highly entertaining clash between the two teams, also at the Sam Nujoma Stadium at 17h00.
Action will continue on Sunday at the Sam Nujoma Stadium when Ramblers commences the day’s proceedings with a clash against FNB Orlando Pirates to be followed by Civics who take on Black Africa in another encounter that promises to deliver fire works as fans will be eager to see what Civics returnee coach Christy Guruseb has in store for the success-starved outfit. Tura Magic will also knuckle down to serious business when they confront the unpredictable Shandumbala-based giants Tigers in another humdinger of a clash, while African Stars will conclude conclude the day’s proceedings with a pivotal clash against coastal outfit Eleven Arrows. The overall winner of the cup tournament will take home N$50 000, while the runner-up is guaranteed to pocket a consolation prize of N$20 000.
By Otniel Hembapu