WINDHOEK – In the only MTC Premiership match played on Saturday Civics eased their relegation worries with a hard fought 1-0 win over struggling coastal outfit Eleven Arrows at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek.
The victory lifted the Civilians into joint fourth place alongside FNB Orlando Pirates on 20 points each, though the Buccaneers had played a game less than their cross-town rivals, while defeat has left the seasiders hovering dangerously above the drop zone with a paltry 10 points from a possible 36. Arrows are sitting a mere 2 points off the basement and could soon find themselves stuck with the wooden spoon should fellow relegation candidates Rundu Chiefs manage to fashion out a decent result from their match in hand. Chester ‘Cheese Boy’ Stanley’s well-struck free kick from 40-metres out midway through the 2nd half separated the two teams. With a marginal 7-point gap between 6th placed Tura Magic and bottom club Rundu Chiefs, any of the other clubs in the bottom half campaigning in the country’s topflight league could bid farewell to Premier league action next season. Team of the moment, Tigers FC tops the MTC Premiership log standings with 25 points – having dropped 11 points, courtesy of 1 loss and 4 draws. As it stands, the coveted MTC Premiership title appears to be a three-horse race between Namibian champions Black Africa, African Stars and Tigers.
However, rank outsiders FNB Orlando Pirates and Civics are mathematically and realistically within a reasonable distance to close the gap and give their more fancied opponents a decent run for their money heading into the home straight.
By Carlos Kambaekwa