By Kuvee Kangueehi WINDHOEK MTC Namibia’s premier soccer league champions, Buschschule Civics FC have recalled their warlord Congo Hindjou for the battle against Angolan champions, GD Segrada Esperanza, in an African Champions League preliminary round match in Windhoek. The much-anticipated match will take place at the Independence Stadium tomorrow at 17h00. The former Brave Warriors midfield maestro has not started a match for the reigning champions this season but has been training for the last six weeks. Despite the fact that Civics FC is topping the log currently, the club owner Helmuth Scharnowksi still believes that their midfield general has been missed this season. “Congo is still one of the best midfielders in the country and his presence will be vital for our side on Saturday.” Scharnowski claims that Hindjou’s experience and passing will be their key to record a victory against the visitors. ” From what I have seen, this team does not play tight marking and their style of play will suit Congo to control the midfield.” He noted that his team has been especially light in the middle of the park and that Hindjou will give guidance to the younger players. The club owner also revealed that the club is sweating over the fitness of their experienced defender Amos Shiyuka and Mentos Hipondonka. ” The duo are still nursing slight injuries but they are in the camp and could possibly feature in the match.” He added that the rest of the squad is motivated and confident ahead of the clash. Civics have invested N$150 000 in their new club house at the TransNamib ground and Scharnowski remains optimistic that the club will enjoy the fruits of that investment over time. “For the past four years we have been building a team and now we are building a club,” said the coach. Before their second leg with GD Segrada Esperanza, the Bethlehem Boys hope to will have started a Youth Academy at their clubhouse. Although little is known of their opposition in the Champions League, GD Segrada Esperanza being funded by a diamond mining company is one of the richest clubs in Angola. They have acquired six Brazilians for the Champions League and wanted to sell tough defender Lebo Lebo, to a top Portuguese club, to help finish construct their stadium, 600km out of the capital, Luanda. Nonetheless, Civics is also getting the bite of the cherry in Namibia. They have received nearly N$250 000 from the Consortium Group of Companies and have been busy negotiating with Air Namibia and the Kalahari Sands Hotel for more support. Scharnowski was earlier quoted as saying in preparation of the clash that he had his own inventory, ‘The Harmonica Trap’. The system, according to the players, sees midfielders Rudi Louw and Patrick Jagger constantly switching positions with hard-running Zimbabwean attacker Wilbert Mazembe coming into the fray for the loose balls. Against the commonly physical Angolans, it remains to be seen whether the 58-year-old coach will prefer resting his match-winners of last season, defender Congo Ngatjizeko and Shiyuka. “It will depend on how he copes up with training,” he said in reference to the injury prone Shiyuka, who had been forced into early retirement last season.
2006-02-202024-04-23By Staff Reporter