Windhoek

Tigers’ premature tile celebrations were abruptly disrupted, at least for the time being, and now have to wait a bit longer before the champagne bottles are popped.

The MTC Premiership runaway table toppers were stopped right in their tracks by hoodoo team Tura Magic at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday.

Needing just four points in the weekend’s two matches from a possible 15 to clinch the elusive crown with three matches to spare – Ingwe stumbled to their second defeat in the current term as the injury-hit Magicians once again lived up to their customary party poopers tag.

Discarded Brave Warriors gangling striker Itamunua “Makanya” Keimuine was the architect behind Tigers’ woes as he broke the deadlock for the Magicians en route to a bittersweet victory.

Tigers leading goal scorer, Kennedy Amutenya, turned from hero to villain by finding the back of the net at both ends of the field including an unfortunate own goal that gifted the Magicians the well-deserved 2-1 triumph.

In Saturday’s other action, Unam (formerly Ramblers) defeated cross-town rivals African Stars with an identical scoreline (2-1) at the Unam sports field in the capital.

Former MTC Premiership golden boot award winner, Jerome “the Crocodile” Louis, returned to domestic football after a spell in Botswana and pulled out a few familiar routines with a typical predator strike for the students before another statesman, goatee bearded Heini Isaacs, ensured maximum points for Ronny Kanalelo’s Clever Boys.

Evergreen winger Levy-Meraai Swartbooi scored a face-saving goal for the ready-to-be- dethroned league champions.

Citizens slightly eased their relegation worries with a comprehensive 3-0 mauling of relegation certainties Julinho Sporting in the first of a double header at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

Much travelled veteran striker Henry “Tsieki’ Somseb, Tjiuana Tja-Tjinotjiua and Robert Rugab (son of former Brave Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs roving midfielder Robert Nauseb) netted a goal apiece for the resurgent Citizens.

Elsewhere, Mighty Gunners were too strong for the visiting United Stars at the Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo. The soldiers dispatched the Rundu outfit by two unanswered goals as the men in camouflage uniform all but secured their premiership status for next season.

In yesterday’s action, Citizens completed a 100 percent record over the weekend with another win that lifted them off the relegation zone. Dawid Goagoseb’s much improved outfit saw off United Stars 3 – 2.

Tura Magic came from a goal down to beat African Stars 2 – 1. Tigers defeated Unam 2 – 1. Mighty Gunners came out tops in their clash against Julinho Sporting, dispatching the Rundu outfit by a solitary goal.