Zebaldt Ngaruka
The second and third rounds of the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) will continue across various towns in the country, with most teams aiming to secure early points.
Leading the log after one match is Omaheke’s Young African FC, which crushed Tigers 3-0 last weekend. The Gobabis-based team faces a tough challenge ahead as it prepares to face two northern neighbours, KK Palace and Eeshoke Chula Chula.
Maleagi Ngarizemo, Young African FC manager, said that the team, despite last weekend’s victory, was not happy with the display on the field, and that prompted them to work extra harder in preparation for rounds two and three.
“Of course, we are happy for the three points in our first game, though we did not have a great match in terms of how we wanted to play. That was it, and now we move on. Our focus is now on the weekend fixtures against KK Palace and Chula Chula,” said the manager.
Ngarizemo said the aim is to go there and do well although he admitted it won’t be easy in the north.
“We will go there and keep our plan and make sure we get the results we want to push for our season targets. Our agenda for this season is to finish in the top three, if not winning the league,” he said.
The manager added that all available players with no injuries and the full squad will travel to the north.
Newly promoted Rundu Chiefs FC chairperson Agripa Haindongo told New Era Sports that the team is ready to play the first league match this season against Khomas Nampol on Saturday at Independence Stadium in the capital at 16h00.
“We are prepared and ready to face them as they are one of the top teams in the country, and we respect them. The mood in the camp is superb, and players know what is expected of them,” he said.
On Sunday, 16h00, Rundu Chiefs will face African Stars, the champions, at Omulunga Stadium in Grootfontein, a home match for Stars.
Haindongo said Rundu Chiefs are ready to face any team in this country, and Stars are not an exception.
“We are ready for them. We are not fearing them as we are composed of players that have Premier League experience, played for the national team, and are outside the country as well. We are not afraid of them, and perhaps they are the ones to fear us, who knows?” he said.
This weekend, NPFL fixtures commence today at Independence Stadium, where Bucks Buccaneers FC will face Mighty Gunners FC from Otjiwarongo at 19h00.
In Walvis Bay, Eleven Arrows will clash with Unam FC at the Jan Wilkens Stadium at 13h00, whereas Chula Chula will play Tigers FC at Oshakati’s Independence Stadium at 13h00.
Below are the other NPFL fixtures for Saturday, with action time and venues:
Okahandja United vs Life Fighters (16h00, Okahandja, Nau-aib Stadium)
VEN Blue Waters FC vs FC Ongos (16h00, Walvis Bay, Jan Wilkens Stadium)
KK Palace FC vs Young African FC (16h00, Oshakati, Independence Stadium)
African Stars FC vs Julinho Athletic FC (16h00, Grootfontein, Omulunga Stadium)
Khomas Nampol FC vs Rundu Chiefs FC (16h00, Windhoek, Independence Stadium)