Debmar ine Namibia Premiership table toppers Okahandja United gaffer Richard Gariseb yesterday said despite the mounting pressure of maintaining their good start to the new season, they will remain focused and take it one game at a time. 

Okahandja United, who are currently topping the log standing with seven points courtesy of two wins and one draw, will tomorrow take on Katutura giants African Stars at the Nau-Aib Stadium at the garden town of Okahandja. 

With home ground advantage, Gariseb and his charges will be hoping to stretch their lead at the top of the table with a win against Stars, but it will not be an easy assignment for the home side as Stars will also be out to turbocharge their somewhat slow start to the current campaign. 

“We are very much ready as we have been preparing for this weekend. Our goal is to maintain what we have started and that means making sure that we go out there and collect maximum points. It will not be easy against an opponent like African Stars but I know the boys are ready for this weekend,” said Gariseb, a former Brave Warriors defender back in the day. 

“Stars are a very good team and very tactical as well and if you make a mistake, they will punish you. That’s why we have to be ready. We will be playing at home and we need to make sure we execute our game plan. I trust in my boys and I trust them to get the job done,” added Gariseb, whose side also faces Young Brazilians on Sunday. 

Pirates going for the jugular 

Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates veteran coach Woody Jacobs will this weekend be under pressure to collect his first maximum points and hopefully move within touching distance of the mid-table teams. Come tomorrow, he will be vying to beat Unam in their own backyard at the Unam stadium. 

They will also face Tura Magic at the same venue in Sunday’s league action, and Jacobs yesterday indicated readiness to kill two birds with one stone this weekend. 

“It is going to be two tough games against Unam and Tura Magic, but we must be ready to take them on and take our game to them. They are two sides that play good football and have very good young players, but we also have fresh new blood in our squad and my plan is to give my players a chance to improve and play for the badge,” shared Jacobs as he outlined his plans. 

Pirates, who are currently ninth on the table with two points from two draws, will be relying on its youngsters to get the job done as some of the club’s experienced campaigners will be out of action due to injuries and unfinalised documents. 

“We are still missing some of our key players due to injuries. We also have veterans such as Sadney Urikhob, whom we wanted to have on the team but unfinished paperwork is making things quite difficult for us at the moment. But I have faith in my players and I know they will be ready.” 

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na