WINDHOEK – African Stars mentor Woody Jacobs is certain that his red-hot outfit can put the loss in the maiden edition of the Standard Bank Super Cup behind them when they meet MTC Premiership title rivals Black Africa at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium tomorrow 18h00.
“It’s very important that we start our assault for the title on a sound note and to be quite honest, we need to beat Black Africa. It’s a must win match for us although the league is a marathon, our focus is to get a victory,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs reiterated that Stars’ aim is to wrestle the coveted title away from BA and believes his charges have what it takes to be crowned Namibian champions – come end of the season.
“Look, it will be a tall order, BA has won the league title over the last four seasons, that’s no mean feat they have a well balanced squad but we are looking to correct matters after narrowly losing to them in the Super Cup.”
Jacobs is also having an eye fixed on Sunday’s match against the fast-improving Unam outfit (formerly Ramblers). “Our aim is to collect the maximum six points at stake this weekend. We have enough depth and quality in the squad and can afford to rotate the squad to avoid players burnout.”
Black Africa’s assistant coach Otto Landsberg admits his team is facing an uphill battle with two crucial matches within a space of 24-hours but remains positive.
“At the moment we are struggling a bit with a number of injuries coupled by suspensions to key players but the show must go on. We trained well and are aware that we are facing difficult games, the fact that Stars are a mere point adrift of us with a game in hand gives us enough motivation to win the match,” said Landsberg. Citizens get the action underway tonight when the league’s new boys welcome Tigers at the Sam Nujoma Stadium 20h00.
In tomorrows action, FNB Eleven Arrows are at home to United Stars in the first of a double header at the Kuisebmond stadium in Walvis-Bay – also featuring LHU Blue Waters against basement dwellers Julihno Sporting.
In Tsumeb, Benfica hosts Mighty Gunners at the Oscar Norich Stadium with Touch and Go entertaining FNB Orlando Pirates in Otavi while Unam and Tura Magic squares off at the Unam field in Windhoek to complete Saturday’s action.
Sunday sees another double-header at the Kuisebmond Stadium with Blue Waters and Arrows exchanging their Saturday’s opponents United Stars and Julihno. Benfica are at home to Pirates while Touch and Go confronts Mighty Gunners.
An uncommon quadruple fixture is on the cards for Windhoek’s Independence Stadium on Sunday at 14h00 with the Citizens/Rebels clash followed by Civics vs Tigers, Black Africa/Tura Magic and Stars up against Unam.
In midweek action, Civics and Rebels cancelled each other out in a 1-all stalemate.
By Carlos Kambaekwa