Maqonda Ndlovu
ORLANDO Pirates Football Club did themselves a huge favour in their fight against relegation from the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) when they beat inconsistent Unam 2-1 on Friday at the University Stadium.
Pirates are currently sitting at the bottom of the 2023/24 NPFL log and have roped in Woody Jacobs from Matebele FC to lead them in fighting relegation.
They made their intentions clear from the word go when Godwin Jena converted a first-minute penalty after the ‘Student’s’ defence was caught napping at the start of the game.
Unam equalised in the 33rd minute through captain Paulus Amutenya, who capitalised on the defensive frailties of Pirates to beat the goalkeeper with a rasping shot at the near post.
The two teams went to the break tied 1-1.
The second half was a see-saw affair, but Pirates capitalised to score their second goal of the match midway through the half.
Mbeurora Muranganda dispossesed a Unam player in the centre of the park and dribbled past two players before sending a beautiful pass from the right wing. The Pirates winger delivered an inch-perfect cross to Engelbrecht Giovanni, whose diving header settled in the bottom corner to give Pirates victory and boost their chances of survival.
The victory saw Pirates draw level on points (11) with the 15th-placed Life Fighters.
It was Pirates’ third victory of the season after 18 matches.
Speaking after the match, Woody Jacobs said winning is the most important thing for his team, and the victory meant a lot to them.
“I have been here for a month now, and it’s been hard work behind the scenes trying to get a team that can compete. When Unam equalised, I thought here we go again, but then we came back with resolve, determination, and belief. I am happy for the boys because it means a lot to them too. I am happy that we could win a match against a quality team like Unam,” Jacobs said.
He said the victory would help them go into the next match (against Life Fighters yesterday) with confidence.
On his part, Robert Nauseb, the Unam coach, said it was always going to be difficult playing a team that is at the bottom of the log.
“They were very motivated; we didn’t take our chances and gave away unnecessary fouls in front of our box. We were not composed. We played two draws last weekend, and we were looking forward to a victory today. We will look at our mistakes and correct them for our Sunday (yesterday’s) match,” Nauseb said.
Also on Friday, African Stars beat Fighters 2-0 in Otjiwarongo to redeem themselves from their defeat by Khomas Nampol the previous weekend.
Nampol were given a reality check on Saturday, succumbing to a 3-2 defeat by Mighty Gunners, while Okahandja United lost 2-0 at home to FC Ongos.
Tigers put their in-house problems behind them, winning 1-0 away to Julinho Sporting in Rundu, while Blue Waters were held to a goalless draw by Young African, with Okakarara Young Warriors and Civics playing a similar scoreline.
The match between Eeshoke Chula Chula and Young Brazilians did not take place. Information reaching this publication suggests that Brazilians failed to pitch up. No comment could be obtained from the Brazilians team management or the league director, Mabos Vries.