By Carlos Kambaekwa
WINDHOEK
The curtain will finally come down on the MTC Namibia Premier League with no less than seven matches on the cards – starting tonight with the eagerly-anticipated African Stars/Black Africa outstanding fixture.
The match was initially prematurely abandoned after Black Africa protested against the presence of FIFA accredited referee Mathew Katjimune, whom they accused of having taken a yet to be identified substance that would have allegedly rendered him unfit to officiate at the particular fixture in November last year.
Black Africa was hauled before the NFA Disciplinary Committee and charged for having brought the game of football into disrepute, but the club got off the hook after their legal council spotted a loophole with the manner in which his client was charged and succeeded in having the charges withdrawn.
After a protracted battle that saw both Stars and the Namibian Football Association challenging the verdict – the matter was refereed for arbitration which in turn upheld both the Disciplinary and Appeals Committee’s decision and ordered the match to be rescheduled.
The match has now been finally rescheduled for the Khomasdal Stadium in Windhoek tonight at (19h00), and though both teams are out of contention for the coveted league title – pride will be at stake and previous matches between these two Katutura giants have never failed to produce fireworks. Entrance for tonight’s league clash is free of charge.
The Reds will be back in action on Saturday, and would like to bid goodbye to longtime rivals APS Blue Waters in the most dignified fashion when the two teams meet in the first of a double header at the Khomasdal Stadium on Saturday, at (13h00).
Black Africa also return to the same venue as they host Oshakati City in the last match at (15h00).
After losing their grip on the lucrative MTC Namibia Premiership title midway through the race – Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) and Oshikandela Ramblers will lock horns at the SKW Stadium, and a fierce battle can be expected as both teams are still within shouting distance for the runner-up spot.
Defending champions Civics are still harbouring serious aspirations for an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title, but the newly crowned MTC NFA Cup Champions must first negotiate their way past already relegated Namdeb Fedics United at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium on Saturday.
However, Civics’ destiny is now lying solely in the hands of giant killers Lawsure NDF Mighty Gunners. Dawid Snewe’s men in uniform will have a final say as to where the title will end up when they entertain log leaders Orlando Pirates at the notorious Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo on Saturday.
Gunners claimed the scalps of Black Africa last weekend and Big Snewe and his soldiers have their guns blazing and are well on course to prove that last weekend’s comprehensive victory over Black Africa was no fluke.
Elsewhere, KM Eleven Arrows welcome Tigers at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis-Bay on Saturday, to conclude the season’s activities. Unless otherwise stated, all matches will start at 15h00 sharp.