Zebaldt Ngaruka
Rehoboth-based team Friends FC is determined to secure victory in the Namibia Football Association’s Southern Stream First Division league by any means necessary.
The team is yet to lose a game in the league after it collected maximum points from four league fixtures played so far this season.
The club’s head coach, Manfred Boeties Swartbooi, said the players are equal to the task, and the mission is to win the league and get promotion.
“We have a mission. The players are doing their job, they are disciplined, and they fit our system of play. The players know each other from the lower divisions, and that is good for continuity purposes,” he said.
The coach added that the players are given incentives, which is one of the morale-boosters.
“They are motivated, as we give them training allowance and winning bonuses. They are not getting basic salaries now, but we are working on that aspect to motivate them more,” he said.
Friends FC is sitting on top of the table with 12 points, followed by Mariental SC in second place with nine points, and O&L Ramblers in third position with six points.
Oranjemund FC is second-last after collecting only one point from four matches.
Orlando Pirates, one of the historic clubs in Namibia, anchors the bottom of the table as it is yet to play a match this season, as their players are not registered.
Furthermore, the league chairperson Jacobus Markus confirmed that there are no league fixtures this weekend as the people will be celebrating the country’s 35 years of independence.
“We will only resume with our round five and six matches on the weekend of 29 to 30 March,” he added.
The chairperson also rubbished rumours that Orlando Pirates will not play in the league this season due to internal matters within the club.
“That is not true, and that matter is still under discussion with the country’s football authority. Pirates are still in the league,” he said.
The Southern Stream First Division league currently has 11 teams after the Namibia Correctional Services’ team was suspended.