After recording back-to-back wins against Citizens and Civics to get their Debmarine Premiership campaign back on track last weekend, Tigers head coach James Britz’ plan going into this weekend’s fixtures is to maintain maximum momentum.
Tigers, who a few weeks ago were slumbering in the relegation zone, last weekend returned to familiar territory with a 2-0 win over Citizens and a crucial 2-1 victory against Civics as the golden touch and tactical superiority of the highly-experienced Britz was written all over his team’s performance.
Britz was recently brought in to help steer the country’s oldest football club out of troubled waters, and he has since wasted little time in making sure his arrival is felt by the club’s supporters.
Speaking to this publication ahead of the weekend matches, Britz said they are taking it one match at a time and making sure all players are well guided and sharpened in order to get their individual brilliance out, saying the contribution of each player is paramount to the team’s overall survival.
“Last weekend, we managed to collect maximum points and that really helped in further boosting our team spirit and also our position on the log table. So, the mission remains the same this weekend as we face two very difficult and unpredictable opponents, but the boys know what is at stake and what needs to be done to keep the movement going. We have been working hard at practice and I’m confident the boys will be ready for the tricky assignments ahead,” said Britz, whose side takes on Julinho Sporting at the SKW stadium tomorrow and Life Fighters at the same venue on Sunday.
The veteran gaffer, who equally has an impressive track record with the country’s U/20 teams, said they will avoid getting carried away with last weekend’s results as the league is a marathon event and more still needs to be done.
“We still have more difficult matches to come and that makes it very important for us to remain focused and highly disciplined. I have made it clear to the players that without discipline and serious dedication, it will be hard for us to keep the momentum going. That’s why you will see that my coaching philosophy is anchored around discipline and getting maximum results through discipline. But all in all, we will be ready for the weekend and luckily, we have no injuries at the moment.”
Full Weekend Fixtures
Friday, 10 March
Civics vs African Stars (19h30 SKW Stadium)
Saturday, 11 March
Orlando Pirates vs Life Fighters (16h00 Rehoboth Stadium)
Tigers vs Julinho Sporting (17h00 SKW Stadium)
Citizens vs Young Brazilians (17h00 Unam Stadium)
Okahandja United vs Black Africa (16h00 Nau-Aib Stadium)
Mighty Gunners vs Young African (18h00 Mokati Stadium)
Eleven Arrows vs Tura Magic (14h00 Jan Wilkens Stadium)
Blue Waters vs Unam (17h00 Jan Wilkens Stadium)
Sunday, 12 March
Orlando Pirates vs Julinho Sporting (14h00 Rehoboth Stadium)
Tigers vs Life Fighters (15h00 SKW Stadium)
Citizens vs African Stars (17h00 Unam Stadium)
Civics vs Young Brazilians (14h30 Khomasdal Stadium)
Okahandja United vs Young African (16h00 Nau-Aib Stadium)
Mighty Gunners vs Black Africa (15h00 Mokati Stadium)
Blue Waters vs Tura Magic (13h00 Jan Wilkens Stadium)
Eleven Arrows vs Unam (16h00 Jan Wilkens Stadium)
– ohembapu@nepc.com.na