…BA vs Stars
WINDHOEK – Many have labeled tonight’s penultimate MTC Premiership clash between Katutura giants Black Africa and African Stars as a potential league title decider, and there is every reason to agree with that proposition.
Past encounters between two of the country’s most successful football clubs have never failed to ignite football followers, including the neutral fan while the rivalry between the two sides goes back a long way since the Reds defeated BA in the final of the historic Dave’s Furnishers Knockout Cup, which came with a prize of N$1 000 in 1974. It was exactly 40-years ago when these two teams confirmed their supremacy in domestic football and tonight’s match offers an ideal opportunity for both sets of players to revive the memories of the good old days when the two teams trot onto the field. A goal apiece by Bush Menjengua, Ben Kauejao and Karumbu ‘Grootman’ Kahiha propelled the Reds to a 3-2 triumph over their much-fancied opponents on that particular cold afternoon with Pius Eigowab and Five Hochobeb replying for BA.
Tonight sees the two teams return to the same venue and as was the case in 1974, BA are the slight favourites to win the tie, but the Woody Jacobs outfit is usually dangerous when the odds are stacked against it. Having surrendered the coveted league title to their traditional rivals, Stars were made to live in the shadow of the Lively Lions over the last three seasons, but in Jacobs, the Reds have a shrewd mentor and are determined to make the doubting Thomasses sit and eat humble pie. Victory for either team will see them bring an end to Tigers’ lodging at the summit, which the Shadumbala Boys have occupied for the bigger part of the opening round in the current term. Tonight’s match could turn out to be a real humdinger, while the inevitable return of prodigal son Quinton ‘Querra’ Jacobs to local football is awaited with bated breath by many football lovers.
The much-travelled mercurial and often wayward midfield ace possesses that rare ability to change the entire complexion of a match with one moment of individual brilliance. Querra has the ability to dictate the pace of the match at his own discretion and if left unchecked, Jacobs will come back to haunt his former team-mates by showing them a few familiar routines. In Boetietjie Seibeb and Riaan Cloete, Stars have their own potential match winners and a congested midfield battle is expected to dominate the proceedings. Up front, it will be interesting to see how the Reds’ gangling striker Elvis ‘Porridge’ Tjivasera, will cope in his preferred aerial battles against the equally adept beanpole BA skipper Dacosta Angula.
In tomorrow’s league action, coachless Ramblers travel up north for a relegation dogfight against fellow stragglers Rundu Chiefs at the Rundu Sports Stadium. Eleven Arrows are at home to United Stars at the Kuisebmund Stadium in Walvis Bay. Civics entertain LHU Blue Waters in the curtain raiser of a double header featuring FNB Orlando Pirates and PC Blue Boys at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek at 19h00. Unless otherwise stated all matches start at 16h00. In midweek action, Tigers’ faltering title aspirations suffered a further blow when the MTC Premiership log leaders where held to an uninspiring 1-all draw by Tura Magic in the opening match of second round proceedings at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
By Carlos Kambaekwa