Otniel Hembapu
Windhoek-MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) log leaders African Stars continued with their perfect league run when they defeated Oshakati-based outfit Young Chiefs 3-1 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday.
Three goals from Stars’ lethal net-buster Kaka Nekundi and enterprising defender Tinker Kahua, as well as second-half substitute Mario Kotze proved enough to send Chiefs packing, while also temporarily extending Stars’ lead atop the log table to 21 points – pending results against Chief Santos in a match that was scheduled to take place late yesterday.
Yesterday’s match appeared to mostly one-way traffic, as Young Chiefs seemed to lack cohesion and were also off par in terms of tactical ability, which led to their failure to respond in almost all departments against an evidently in-form Stars side.
Despite starting off on a dawdling note, Stars did not waste much time in taking full charge of the match and appeared superior in terms of fitness and tactical ability. Their overall cohesion as a unit provided added impetus to their victory.
Stars’ new signing Michael Kamuzerandu also made his long-awaited debut on Saturday and his introduction was immediately felt by Stars’ supporters, as the youngster harassed Chiefs defenders with his blistering speed and great ball composure.
Controversy
surrounds Gunners’ victory over Tigers
Mighty Gunners defeated NPL reigning champions Tigers 2-1 in a thrilling encounter at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday evening, amid some controversy.
A weak shot by Gustav ‘Image’ Isaak somehow managed to slip through the hands of Gunners goalie Tomwell Damaseb midway through the first half to give Tigers an early 1-0 lead. Gunners then upped the tempo in the second half and scored two goals through Asser Hara-Ramseb and Edmond April to lead by two goals to one going into injury time.
With Tigers piling on the pressure in search of a win, Ferdinand Karongee won a penalty for his team in injury time. Rodger Katjiteo took the responsibility and sent Damaseb the wrong way, but his effort was denied by referee Jonas Shongedhi.
Shongedhi discounted Katjiteo’s penalty for apparently shamming his movement before he took the shot, leading to the cancelation of the goal and Shongedhi subsequently cautioning the player and awarding a free kick to Gunners. The sequence of events proved decisive as Gunners handed Tigers their second defeat of the season.
Gunners coach Gebhardt ‘Washa-Washa’ Hengari said his team’s superior fitness helped them win the game. “We came to Windhoek to collect six points, we have collected three so far. My boys are fit for the game against Tura Magic on Sunday,” he said. He added that his boys had followed his instructions to attack Tigers using the flanks.
Tigers’ mentor Lucky Kakuva said they had lost a game, which they controlled well.
“We were not aggressive to convert our opportunities in the first half and earlier in the second half. Our replacements did not take our game to the next level. We lost our shape in the second half and that brought Gunners into the match,” he said. – Additional reporting: Nampa