WINDHOEK – Having gone five matches unscathed, MTC Premiership early pace-setters Tigers will face its sternest test of character when they greet FNB Orlando Pirates at what has become their slaughterhouse, the Sam Nujoma Stadium, in the 2nd of a double header tomorrow afternoon.
Bobby Samaria’s well-greased machine has so far steamrolled all over their opponents and victory over Ali Akan’s youthful Ghosts will strengthen their title credentials. After a good start that saw them claim the scalps of African Stars in their opening match, it has been huff and puff for the Ghosts in subsequent matches which culminated in one more win, sandwiched by two uninspiring draws and a defeat against lowly placed Eleven Arrows.
However, Akan knows very well that defeat against the in-form Ingweinyama could all but put their somewhat far-fetched title aspirations on hold, at least for the time being. Many football pundits opine that Tigers have not really been tested so far and tonight’s clash will put them under the microscope in teams of measurement as serious title contenders.
In Malawian midfielder Chikondi Farouk Likwemba, Pirates have a player who possesses that rare ability to turn the result of a match with one moment of individual brilliance and Tigers will also have to be alert to the potential danger posed by the pace of the Ghosts’ twin forwards Ronaldo Tsowaseb amd Stanley Kemesiepo.
At the other end, the Tigers striking pair of Benson Shilongo and Pandu Nekundi could be quite a handful for the too often casual Ghosts rearguard if they are not properly kept in check.
Still licking their wounds after they were brought heavily down to mother gravity after a fairytale run, Tura Magic will greet LHU Blue Waters in the curtain raiser in what promises to be a real humdinger at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
Down at sea level, Arrows entertain fellow seasiders PC Blue Boys at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay tomorrow. Buoyed by last weekend’s comprehensive 3-0 win over Tura Magic, Dawid Snewe’s United Stars go into their derby clash against Rundu Chiefs as slight favourites when the two arch rivals square off at the Rundu Stadium tomorrow.
Action gets underway in earnest tonight when a revitalized Civics welcome African Stars at the Sam Nujoma Stadium 20h00 in a match that could potentially define the immediate future of Stars’ under fire coach Woody Jacobs.
In midweek action, Black Africa’s mercurial winger Awilo Stephanus, came off the substitute’s bench to score the only goal of the match in an evenly contested MTC Premiership encounter against struggling Ramblers at the Sam Nujoma stadium.
The victory moved the defending champions within two points of log leaders Tigers, who are back in action in a must win clash of the titans against fellow title contenders Pirates tomorrow.
By Carlos Kambaekwa