WINDHOEK – Namibia’s undisputed football champions Black Africa put one hand on an unprecedented fourth consecutive MTC Premiership title with four rounds of matches remaining.
The Gemengde outfit dispatched closest rivals Tigers with a comprehensive 3-0 thrashing in a match that was billed a potential title decider to stretch their lead at the summit. After a goalless first half, Brian Isaacs’ charges stepped up a gear and came out with guns smoking at the resumption, scoring three unanswered goals to all but put the result to bed. Free scoring striker Muna Katupose opened the floodgates before defenders Junior Gebhardt and Ndjemba Mundjamnima added a goal apiece to complete the riot. In other action, African Stars needed a first half penalty via the boot of burly striker Gazza Kazeurua to see off a stubborn Eleven Arrows at the Kuisebmund Stadium in Walvis Bay.
Ramblers’ gangling improvised striker Ivan Blom came off the substitutes bench to score a brace to lift his team to a well-deserved 2-0 win over luckless PC Blue Boys at the Ramblers field. Both Rundu Chiefs and Unites Stars failed to maximize home ground advantage – going down to visiting LHU Blue Waters and FNB Orlando Pirates respectively. Ballack Somaeb netted a brace to hand the much-improved seasiders a 2-0 win against relegation certainties Chiefs in the curtain raiser of a double header.
Ali Akan’s inspired Ghosts kept their title hopes alive with a hard fought 1-0 victory over the hosts with leading marksman Nicky Musambani rattling the opposition’s net in the 88th minute of the match. In midweek action, Civics and Tura Magic cancelled each other out in a 4-goal thriller. Elsewhere, Bidvest Cup inaugural champions, Katutura glamour football club African Stars have been drawn against giant killers Tura Magic in the semifinals of the lucrative Bidvest Cup slated for the Sam Nujoma Stadium next month. United Stars square off against Citizens in the other semifinal. The final will be played on June 7, 2014. Meanwhile, Namibia bowed out of the race to qualify for the 2015 CAF Youth Championship in Senegal, following a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Mozambique on Saturday. The visitors also won the 1st leg by an identical score on home soil earlier this month.
By Carlos Kambaekwa