Zebaldt Ngaruka 

Otjiwarongo-based Premier League outfit Mighty Gunners and Eeshoke Chula Chula from Oshakati will host a pre-season tournament tomorrow at the famous Tsumeb’s Oscar Norich Stadium.

The competition co-organiser Kati Nambandi said the two teams are using this tournament as preparation for the new league season, which is scheduled for the first week of November.

“It has become a culture to play such a tournament before the league starts, as it is a good test for new players. We must formulate the team for the new season,” he said.

Nambandi who is also the team manager for Mighty Gunners, said his team has signed six players and offloaded four as competition is tough in the team.

The four departed players are Stanley Haukambe, Vemuna Tjikurame, Romeo Haufiku and Beverly Shetukana.

“We hope the four can get greener pastures elsewhere, but Mundjele Tobias is loaned to KK Palace for educational reasons, as he has to attend tertiary studies at Triumphant College in Oshakati,” he explained. 

He added that Chula Chula will also use this tourney to sharpen for the upcoming Dr Hage Geingob Cup, slated for 19 October.

The one-day competition will see hosts Mighty Gunners and Eeshoke Chula Chula joined by Chief Santos and Kaltes Wasser FC playing in a robin-basis format. 

On the team’s readiness for the league’s kick-off, the manager said the players are eager to play.

“Most players are unemployed and survive from football. We are trying hard to keep them intact and we hope for a positive announcement from the league authority soon,” he said.

Mighty Gunners and Kaltes Wasser FC will start the tournament proceedings with an early kick-off at 10h00.

This will be followed by Tsumeb’s Chief Santos, who will lock horns with Eeshoke Chula Chula at 11h30.

After an interval, Chula Chula will be on the field against Kaltes Wasser at 12h45 and this will be followed by a crowd puller encounter between Chief Santos and Mighty Gunners at 14h00. 

At 16h00, Eeshoke and Mighty Gunners will face each other to close the proceedings in Tsumeb.

The crowd will be entertained by a live DJ performance. Payment will be N$20 at the gate for adults, while kids and cars will be charged N$10 to enter the stadium. -zngaruka@yahoo.com