WINDHOEK – Whenever Katutura glamour football clubs African Stars and FNB Orlando Pirates compete against each other, Namibia’s most populated residential enclave comes to a virtual standstill with football fans turning out in droves to witness the spectacle on and off the pitch.
The country’s best-supported football entities will trot onto the field tonight to confront each other in a potential MTC Premiership title decider at the Sam Nujoma Stadium at 19h00. Both teams revived their fading title aspirations with victories in last weekend’s action that saw fellow title rivals Black Africa and Tigers stumble in their quest to strengthen their grip on the top two positions on the log. Ali Akan’s Ghosts have been blowing hot and cold, but the man with the Midas touch believes he has a decent squad capable of winning the league should his charges maintain consistency. “Frankly speaking, we have a well balanced team with highly talented footballers, but I must also admit the squad is extremely thin. Whereas our title rivals boast large squads to choose from, we are obliged to soldier on with only 17 players at our disposal, which puts us in a precarious position if one considers injuries and loss of form,” Akan admitted.
Reds mentor Woody Jacobs will have a full complement of his squad to choose from with the exception of injured wingers Joslin Kamatuka and Lovers Kamuhanga. “It’s a massive match since both teams are coming off two good wins against formidable opponents last weekend, but I’m confident we can fashion out a positive result if we defend well and make use of the many goal scoring opportunities we have been able to create.” The Buccaneers defeated their traditional rivals (2-1) in the opening round, but Jacobs is not reading too much into that result. “Make no mistake, we respect Pirates, they are decent opponents but they also have flaws in their repertoire, which we are definitely going to exploit. They are certainly beatable,” Woody insists.
By Carlos Kambaekwa