All eyes will be on the Oshakati Stadium this Sunday at 16h00 when Namibia Premier League log leaders Eeshoke Chula Chula lock horns with KK Palace in what promises to be a fiery northern derby packed with pride, intensity and high stakes.
Chula Chula head into the encounter sitting top of the league standings with 30 points from 15 matches, a remarkable position for a youthful side that only recently set its sights on survival rather than silverware.
Hot on their heels are defending champions African Stars with 29 points, while Mighty Gunners remain firmly in the title conversation in third place on 27 points. Ongos and Unam round out the top five with 24 points apiece.
Chula Chula’s rebuild
For Chula Chula head coach John Sirekete, the team’s rise to the summit has been more about determination than expectations.
He revealed that the club lost the bulk of its squad at the end of last season, forcing a major rebuild ahead of the current campaign.
“We lost most of our players and had to acquire new ones. We had to re-establish another team just to avoid relegation. We are not league contenders. Our aim is to simply to stay in the league,” he said.
Despite those modest beginnings, Chula Chula have emerged as the pacesetters, boasting the best defensive record in the division with just 10 goals conceded in 15 matches. Their solid backline, combined with disciplined performances, has been key to their unexpected charge.
Sirekete, however, is under no illusion about the challenge that awaits against KK Palace.
“KK Palace are a strong side, and it will be a difficult match. We take it one match at a time and apply a different approach to each game. KK have largely the same team as last season, unlike us, but we will see how best to approach the match,” he said.
Call to the faithful
The Chula Chula coach also made a passionate appeal to the club’s supporters to rally behind the team in Oshakati.
“They know what is at stake. The supporters are the number 12 player on the field; they get the players going. Come out and see a very energetic Chula Chula side that wants to give everything they have on the field,” said Sirekete.
KK Palace ready for the battle
On the other side of the derby divide, KK Palace coach Anderson Phiri expressed confidence based on his side’s recent history against Chula Chula.
Phiri said KK Palace have enjoyed the upper hand in the fixtures he has overseen.
“It has always been KK Palace who dominated in the four games that I have been in charge. It has always been a good game with a lot of positive expectations from both teams,” he said.
Phiri believes preparation will be the key factor on Sunday, adding that the outcome will ultimately reflect which team executes its plan better on the day.
“It is the team that prepares well that will come out victorious. If it ends in a draw, it makes both teams happy. Let the best team on the day win. All the best to both teams,” he said.
-lmupetami@nepc.com.na