Maqonda Ndlovu
The Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) is set to return today with exciting fixtures lined up following the postponement of Sunday matches last week after the death of President Hage Geingob.
Teams will be expected to observe a minute of silence, and players will don black armbands in honour of the late president, who was also the patron of the NFA.
Kicking off the weekend will be an exciting match between returning soldier and veteran coach Woody Jacobs’ Orlando Pirates and you and upcoming charismatic Fortune Eichab’s Khomas Nampol at Unam Stadium. The two teams head into this match under different circumstances, with Pirates desperately seeking points as they aim to avoid relegation.
Jacobs, who will be taking charge of Pirates for the first time this season following his six-month stay in Botswana with Matebele FC, told this publication that he has a tough job at hand.
“We are facing a top-three team that has been doing well this season. They have been on form. But Pirates is a big team with a rich history in Namibian football folklore. The job at hand will be tough, and we will need our supporters to come in numbers to cheer us on,” the eccentric Jacobs said.
He added that for the team to survive relegation, everyone should work together and present a united front to make sure Pirates take its rightful place in the country’s football echelons.
Jacobs said players have been training well, and they have strengthened the team with 14 new players, whom he said will be unveiled soon.
Meanwhile, Eichab said he was wary of the threat posed by wounded Pirates, especially now that they have roped in Jacobs as coach.
“While we would want to continue doing what we have been doing, this match will be tough. Pirates are under pressure as they sit in a dangerous position on the log. We also want to reach our target of 40 points. Currently, we have 34 points, hence the two games this weekend are important for us,” he said.
Nampol will face defending champions African Stars on Sunday at Unam Stadium.
Tomorrow, Unam FC will take on Okahandja United at Unam Stadium on Friday. On Saturday, troubled Tigers FC will play Ongos FC at the same venue.
Information available to New Era Sport suggest that Tigers players boycotted training this past week because of unpaid salaries.
The club denies this.
“We had a small hitch with the players’ salaries. Now, everything is sorted. The players are paid, and we are back in training. We will fulfil our fixtures this weekend,” Nelson Akwenye, the Tigers chairman, said.
At Mokati Stadium, Life Fighters FC will host coastal outfit Blue Waters, and Eeshoke Chula Chula will play Julinho Sporting at the Oshakati Independence Stadium, while Okakarara Young Warriors will host Mighty Gunners at the Omulunga Stadium in Grootfontein.
In the south, Young Brazilians will meet reigning champions African Stars.
Civics will face Young Africans at Unam Stadium. On Sunday, Life Fighters play Okahandja United in Otjiwarongo, Blue Waters against Unam at the coast, and Mighty Gunners face Julinho Sporting in Otjiwarongo. Okakarara Young Warriors will face Eeshoke Chula Chula in Otjiwarongo; Khomas NamPol will face African Stars FC; and Young Brazilians will host Orlando Pirates. Tigers will host Young Africans in Windhoek, while Civics will play Ongos FC at Unam Stadium.