By Carlos Kambaekwa
WINDHOEK
With most teams in the country’s top domestic league taking a breather this weekend, courtesy of the Brave Warriors’ involvement in the marathon 2010 FIFA World Cup and CAF African Nations Cup Qualifiers – the battle for survival continues with both relegation candidates Namdeb Fedics United and APS Blue Waters facing their sternest test.
Blue Waters are at home to mid table Cymot Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) in an MTC Namibia Premiership clash at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis-Bay, tomorrow afternoon (15h00).
The coastal side needs to win at all costs if they are to entertain any hopes of retaining their Premiership status while victory for the low flying birds would see them leapfrog league rookies Mighty Gunners into 10th place on the Namibia Premiership log standing.
After a good start to their league campaign at the beginning of the season that saw them amongst serious contenders for the coveted league title – the Germans have slipped down the pecking order into 6th place with 28 points to their credit to be precise, and are mathematical outsiders for the much-cherished NPL title.
Victory for Richard Starke’s unfashionable side will keep them in the hunt for the league title, barring an unforeseen slip up from the frontrunners with only four rounds of matches to go before the curtain comes down on the most closely contested title race in the history of domestic football.
Blue Waters are lingering dangerously in 2nd place from the basement with 14 points after 18 matches, 2-points off the pace of Mighty Gunners who have played one game more than both their fellow relegation candidates.
United will be looking for their third win when the basement residents entertains fellow relegation candidates Oshakati City at the Keetmans-hoop Stadium, tomorrow (15h00)
The Southerners are the bookies favourites to get the chop from the country’s elite league – come end of the current season and only a miracle will see them escape the dreaded relegation axe that has been hovering over them since their entry into topflight football.
United needs to win at least three of their remaining four matches and hope their rivals stumble along the way if they are to avoid finding themselves in familiar territory next season – certainly a mammoth task for the league rookies.