By Carlos Kambaekwa
WINDHOEK
With seven rounds of matches still left before the curtain comes down on the MTC Namibia Premiership, the destiny of the title could take a different shape this weekend as the race for the country’s most sought-after silverware intensifies.
The battle for supremacy continues tomorrow, and 2nd placed Cymot Sport Klub Windhoek (SWK) will have to fire on all cylinders if they are to keep their title hopes alive when the Germans travel up north to Otjiwarongo for their confrontation against Dawid Snewe’s Mighty Gunners at the Mokati Stadium (15h00).
Elsewhere, APS Blue Waters welcome Oshakati City in the first of a double header pencilled for the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay tomorrow (15h00).
The struggling coastal outfit will in all likelihood be armed to the teeth, and will be out to maximize home ground advantage as they seek to escape the dreaded relegation axe that has been hovering dangerously over them since the beginning of the season.
The low-flying birds are perched 2nd from bottom with 10 points out of a possible 45, and defeat will all but seal their journey to the country’s second tier division – come next season – while victory will slightly ease their relegation worries as it would move them within spitting distance of fellow relegation candidates Mighty Gunners and Oshakati City.
KM Eleven Arrows are at home to basement outfit Fedics United and with only the most unlikely of mathematical upsets preventing the league rookies from making a quick retreat to the National Division One league, Arrows should have little trouble in collecting the maximum points at stake and activate their fading title hopes (17h00).
The eagerly-awaited MTC Namibia Premiership clash between defending champions Civics and 3rd placed Orlando Pirates which was to have taken place tonight at the Khomasdal Stadium is off, and so is tomorrow’s much-anticipated Oshikandela Ramblers/ Black Africa match.
Both Civics and Ramblers have more than three players each in the national team and have rightfully exercised their constitutional right to request the league to postpone their assignments while the affected players are on national duty and their wish has been granted as such.
The said players are currently with the Brave Warriors for their first leg match against Zimbabwe in the maiden edition of the African Nations Championships, which gets under way in Harare on Sunday.
Stars and Tigers Share the Spoils in Midweek Clash
African Stars were held to an uninspiring 1-all draw by Tigers in an MTC Namibia Premiership clash at the SKW Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Reds were the more enterprising side in the first half and deservedly took the lead when leading goal-poacher Silver Suriyari showed composure rarely seen in domestic football, when the quicksilver striker connected masterfully with a copybook cross from Pat-Nevin Uanivi and volleyed home in the 23rd minute.
Stars almost increased their slender lead with inspirational skipper Andrew “Jaws of Life” Tjahikika unleashing a powerful header against the crossbar with goal written all over it, while veteran striker Nico “The Jackal” Andima tested Fox Nambundunga in Tigers’ goal with a well-hit long range free-kick – but the agile “Silver Fox” was equal to the task.
Shortly after the break, Tigers should have been back on level terms but Tangeni Shipahu shot tamely at Stars’ stand-in goalkeeper Escerol Kongoro when presented with an inviting opportunity, after the skilful but sometimes erratic striker beat the offside trap.
However, Shipahu redeemed himself moments later and made up for his earlier miss when he rose majestically above a static Stars’ defence to head home into the roof of the net from Harold Haimbondi’s well measured delivery, with 11 minutes left on the clock.