WINDHOEK – As far as Tigers Football Club (FC) coach Bobby Samaria is concerned, the current scenario of teams playing two matches within a space of 24 hours is making their job a living hell. He says the situation has taken a toll on the players and affects the overall standard of the game.
Going into this weekend’s round of matches, Windhoek-based Tigers are faced with the exhausting requirement to travel at least 508km to and from Otjiwarongo to honour tomorrow’s fixture against Mighty Gunners at the Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo, before driving back to Windhoek the same day for the players to rest a few hours before confronting Orlando Pirates at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Sunday.
“It’s a very difficult situation for the players and us as coaches. After tomorrow’s match against Gunners in Otjiwarongo, we have a very important game against Orlando Pirates on Sunday and we obviously want to collect maximum points in both games but that’s a huge challenge for us because most of the players will already be exhausted by the time we play on Sunday. But what can we do, that’s how things are,” said a displeased Samaria.
“It will obviously be an easy task for Pirates because they will play both games in Windhoek as opposed to us who will travel more than 500km in such a short space of time. So they will have the upper hand but we are ready and will rise to the occasion.”
Full NPL Weekend Fixtures
Today
Orlando Pirates vs Rebels (Sam Nujoma Stadium)
Saturday
Blue Waters vs Black Africa (Kuisebmond Stadium)
Eleven Arrows vs Unam FC (Kuisebmond Stadium)
Benfica vs Civics (Oscar Norich Stadium)
Touch & Go vs Citizens (Oscar Norich Stadium)
Tura Magic vs United Stars (Sam Nujoma Stadium)
African Stars vs Julinho Sporting (Sam Nujoma Stadium)
Mighty Gunners vs Tigers (Mokati Stadium)
Sunday
Blue Waters vs Unam FC (Kuisebmond Stadium)
Eleven Arrows vs Black Africa (Kuisebmond Stadium)
Benfica vs Citizens (Oscar Norich Stadium)
Touch & Go vs Civics (Otavi Stadium)
Tura Magic vs Julinho Sporting (Sam Nujoma Stadium)
African Stars vs United Stars (Sam Nujoma Stadium)
Orlando Pirates vs Tigers (Sam Nujoma Stadium)
Mighty Gunners vs Rebels (Mokati Stadium)
By Otniel Hembapu