By Carlos Kambaekwa
WINDHOEK – The race to glory in the coveted MTC Namibia Premiership title is a closely contested two-horse race with the winner to emerge from Namibian champions Black Africa and their fiercest rivals African Stars, when league activities hit the home straight tomorrow.
Looking to the final round, current MTC Premiership log leaders Black Africa, have the toughest assignment as they come up against hoodoo team Tura Magic at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium in a must win tie to all but seal their 4th consecutive league title. BA assistant coach Eric Quest applauded African Stars for winning the NFA Bidvest Cup, adding that the ball is in the BA court to add a consecutive 4th title to their trophy cabinet. “Our main objective was to win the cup double this season, but having lost out on the Bidvest Cup we have to make amends for that by retaining the league title. So, one could not have asked for a better platform to redeem ourselves than the tie against our Bidvest Cup vanquishers.”
Three fixtures will be of great significance for the teams involved, albeit for vastly differing reasons, and the peak of tomorrow’s league action is doubtlessly the six-pointer that pits second placed African Stars against relegation threatened PC Blue Boys at the Sam Nujoma Stadium. The seasiders are starring relegation in the face and will need to collect the maximum points at stake, while Woody Jacobs and his charges will be determined to manufacture a comprehensive victory to keep their slim title hopes alive.
0“For us, it will be business as usual, although we are expecting a tough match against Blue Boys, since they are fighting relegation. We have come in leaps and bounds after a shaky start to our league campaign, but our intention is still to claim the cup double and I’m happy with what we have achieved so far,” said a confident Jacobs during a press briefing in Windhoek yesterday.
Across town, Civics and FNB Orlando Pirates will lock horns at the Ramblers field in a match of convenience, but the Ghosts would like to finish the season on a high note to give their want-away coach, Ali ‘Mr Fixed It’ Akan, a dignified send off in what could be his swansong. Namibia’s most decorated football coach has hinted that he will bow out of football at the end of the current campaign. Watch this space for more details about Akan’s mooted departure from domestic football. Tigers are at home to relegation candidates Rundu Chiefs at the SKW Stadium, south of Windhoek, while basement dwellers Eleven Arrows go to battle, which is more like the last kick of a dying horse, when they come up against traditional rivals LHU Blue Waters at the Kuisebmund Stadium in Walvis Bay. All matches start simultaneously at 15h00. Meanwhile, the NPL announced that it would have its year-end awards event at the Safari Hotel in Windhoek next Friday.