Defending champions of the Debmarine Premiership African Stars could end the week at the top of the table if they beat Tigers in tomorrow’s tie.
The MTC Maris Cup champs found themselves third on the standings on Sunday. This came after they went 2-0 down to Unam on Saturday, and achieved a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ronnie Kanalelo’s Bucks Buccaneers.
The results also gave Ongos a chance to go on top after registering two back-to-back victories over the weekend, beating Okahandja United 3-1 on Saturday before they played to a 0-0 stalemate against Mighty Gunners, giving them a total of four points over the weekend.
As it stands, Ongos remain on top with 30 points, while Khomas Nampol and Stars are all tied on 29 points in second and third place, respectively. However, the catch is Stars have a game in hand, which could see them return to the top of the premier league if they beat the Shandumbala outfit, Tigers, when they square off tomorrow night.
Otjiwarongo outfit Mighty Gunners are also closing in on the leaders, as they are set to square off against second-placed Khomas Nampol, who have 29 points from 16 matches this season.
A win for Nampol would see the government-funded team climb to the top, while a win for Gunners would see them levelling points with Nampol at 29.
Despite tasting their first defeat of the season, Gobabis outfit Young African, could climb to the top of the standings if they collect maximum points tomorrow against Nampol, who are a point above them. African remain fourth with 27 points, and if they win, they could be level with Ongos, who are on top.
Fortune Eichab, the head coach of Khomas Nampol, reflected on his team’s position on the standings, saying it’s where they want to be as a team.
“We are grateful for the position we are in. It seems like our first goal of reaching 30 points has been reached, or it will be reached. But this is not where we ultimately want to be. Our plan is to surpass last season’s performance, which was to finish in a better position than we did the previous season.
“We are very humbled, and I think this is the best place so far this season. I want us to be content with any results in the league, being able to understand that football is a game of winning and losing, but we are going to improve on this by the end of the season,” he said.
Rundu-based outfit Cuca Tops remain rooted at the bottom with seven points from 17 matches played this season. They have only won once this season, losing 12 times with four draws. Blue Boys find themselves in the second-to-last position with 14 points so far, registering two wins this season while recording eight draws and seven losses.
Weekend results
Friday, 11 April
Tigers 1-1 Mighty Gunners
Saturday, 12 April
Julinho 2-2 Khomas Nampol
FC Ongos 3-1 Okahandja United
KK Palace 1-0 Blue Boys
Bucks 1-0 Young African
Cuca Tops 0-1 Young Brazilians
Unam 2- 0 African Stars
Chula Chula 0-0 Blue Waters
Sunday, 13 April
Cuca Tops 0-2 Nampol
Chula Chula FC 2-0 Blue Boys
Ongos 0-0 Mighty Gunners
Tigers 1-2 Okahandja United
Unam 0-1 Young African
Julinho 1-1 Young Brazilians
KK Palace 2-0 Blue Waters
-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na