Katutura derby on Sunday

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By Otniel Hembapu

WINDHOEK – MTC Namibia Premiership table-toppers African Stars’ inspirational captain, Pat-Navin Uanivi, has insisted they will not read too much into their impressive league run nor get carried away by their log-table position when they lock horns with rivals Orlando Pirates at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Sunday (17h00).

“To us it’s not about our remarkable form of late or us topping the league table but it’s all about taking it game by game and making sure we collect maximum points. We cannot afford to get carried away at this stage because one can also easily lose two games in one weekend, thus allowing other teams to catch up, so it’s safety first to us,” Uanivi told New Era Sport in an earlier interview.

The diminutive but lion-hearted Stars skipper further assured that the team is currently boasting a clean bill of health, as they do not have any casualties on their injury list and will thus go out full force.

“We will not take anything for granted; Pirates are not a team to take lightly and their record against us speaks volumes, as to why it won’t be an easy game for either team. But nonetheless, we are well prepared and ready to go about our usual business,” adds Uanivi.

Meanwhile, Pirates mentor, Lucky Kakuva, promised to give Stars a good run for their money, saying, “Yes, it’s a big game but Stars will be under more pressure to safeguard their lead, as opposed to us who are gunning for a place in the top three. So, we will not make it any easier for them because we also need a win to move up the log. We have a great record against Stars, so we want to approach the game on that note and make sure we take our chances.” Kakuva added that they would be without striker Terry Uiseb, who is out with a niggling hamstring injury.

On paper, Stars stand a good chance of walking away as the victors, because in the legs of veteran midfielder Riaan Cloete, McBride Ndjavera, Lovers Kamuhanga, Johannes ‘Boetitjie’ Seibeb, Joslin Kamatuka, Asprilla Wermann and goal-poacher Gazza Kazeurua among others, coach Woody Jacobs has potential match-winners and players that can dictate the direction of a match at any given time.

Pirates, who are very much determined, will definitely be looking to demonstrate to their success-starved fans that they are still a force to be reckoned with and serious title contenders this season.