WINDHOEK—New boys Khomas Nampol took the lead in the Debmarine Namibia Premier Football League table on Sunday after defeating erstwhile log leaders African Stars with a 2-0 scoreline at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek.
Nampol, who are making their debut in the country’s 2023/24 Premier League season, became the first team to reach 40 points this season after 17 league fixtures.
They dominated the match after Brave Warriors’ most-capped player Denzil Haoseb opened the scoring with a powerful header after 18 minutes from a corner kick.
Defending champions Stars slowly clawed their way back into the match, creating a few chances, but Khomas NamPol’s sturdy defence made it challenging. The first half concluded with the latter leading 1-0.
In the second half, Khomas NamPol continued with their attacking momentum, and netted their second goal in the 75th minute. Terry Uiseb was fouled by Stars’ substitute Jackson Johannes in the box, and the referee awarded a penalty kick. Uiseb dusted himself off and successfully converted the penalty kick, extending their lead to 2-0.
Stars tried to score a consolation goal immediately afterwards, but failed in their attempts as the NamPol goalkeeper made a double save to deny Lazarus Kaimbi and Ibroihim Youssouf from finding the back of the net.
With that victory, Khomas NamPol rose to the top of the table. Meanwhile, Stars dropped to second place with 37 points, garnering just one point from their two matches over the weekend.
FC Ongos currently occupies third place on the league table with 33 points from 16 matches played this season. Blue Waters sit in fourth place with 28 points from 18 matches. Meanwhile, Eeshoke Chula Chula managed to secure three points out of a possible six over the weekend, and are now in fifth place with 28 points.
Clubs at risk of relegation include Orlando Pirates, who languish at the bottom of the log with only eight points from 17 matches. Life Fighters, with 11 points, currently occupy 15th place, and Civics is in 14th place with 13 points from 17 matches. – Nampa