WINDHOEK – Reigning Namibian champions Black Africa defined an old football expression that points in the kitty are a better bet than points in hand.
The Gemengde outfit turned their outstanding two fixtures into valuable six points by walloping bitter rivals FNB Orlando Pirates 2-0 last Thursday before returning to action 48 hours later to continue with their abbreviated MTC Premiership clash against Mighty Gunners in Otjiwarongo on Saturday.
Ronnie Kanalelo’s wounded soldiers marched onto the field against their eternal rivals Pirates with revenge firmly entrenched in their minds after the Ghosts bundled them out of the lucrative BidVest Cup quarterfinals less than five days ago.
A goal apiece from habitual party pooper Muna ‘Litre’ Katupose and veteran goatee-bearded midfielder Heini Isaacks did the trick for the Lively Lions to all but confirm their supremacy over their noisy neighbours.
On Saturday, Merwyn Haraseb scored the only goal in the historical football match played only half the length of the required 90 minutes as a result of administrative blunders or rather deliberate misinterpretation of rules governing the game of football.
The former Orlando Pirates lanky player connected well with Steven Sabbatah’s cleverly executed in-swinger from a free kick. The goal added to Kumbee Katjiteo’s lone strike in the rain-washed tie a couple of weeks ago to keep his side in the hunt for an unprecedented 5th consecutive league title.
The quick back-to-back wins for Kanalelo’s charges sliced a remarkable six points from what looked like an unassailable 12-point cushion held by MTC Premiership runaway leaders African Stars. BA now trail their title rivals by 6 points going into their midweek potential title decider against Woody Jacobs’ ambitious Reds.
It’s a must win match for both Katutura giants as victory for the in-form BA will move them within touching distance of Stars – just 3 points from the summit, while a Reds triumph will all but erase any lingering doubts about their genuine title credentials with 8 matches still left before the curtain finally closes down on the current term.
The 2014/2015 MTC Premiership campaign easily ranks amongst one of the most fiercely contested league titles.