With less than one month of action left in the DebMarine Premier League, Julinho Sporting, Okakarara Young Warriors and Life Fighters are desperately clinging on to avoid relegation.
Julinho of Rundu – currently with 21 points, sitting in 14th place on the log and having five matches in hand – faces a tough challenge against stubborn outfit Young Africans at home tomorrow at 14h00, followed by a visit from title contenders Ongos FC on Sunday, also at 14h00.
Julinho chairman Dino Ballotti said the league has been competitive this season, and highlighted the importance of home matches in boosting the players’ confidence.
He acknowledged the challenges the club faces, including training on a sandy pitch due to limited resources. “We don’t own a field. The players train on a sandy field. At times, we train at the stadium which has grass, but there are other activities and clubs using it. Clubs like Okakarara Young Warriors and Chula Chula are in the same situation.
“This is not an excuse, but the reality. Resources are restrained. But we want to tell our supporters that there are no off days and that we will do our level best to keep clean sheets,” said Balloti.
Despite the obstacles, he expressed confidence in the club’s ability to face tough opponents like Ongos and Young Africans.
“Ongos want to win the league so it will be a tough encounter which we are ready to take on,” he said. Ballotti added that facing Africans will be another test which they want to overcome and that the supporters will play a pivotal role in that. While fans wait for those matches, Tigers will take on Mighty Gunners at 19h00 at the Independence Stadium.
Okakarara, having five matches in hand, 20 points and sitting 15th on the log, will face Ongos at the Omulunga Stadium tomorrow at 16h00.
In other matches, crowd-puller Eeshoke Chula Chula will visit Windhoek to face Civics at the Independence Stadium tomorrow at 16h00. Sunday’s matches will see Civics going up against Mighty Gunners at the Unam Stadium (14h00), and Tigers will conclude the day against Chula Chula at the Independence Stadium at 14h00.
Life Fighters, who are sitting at the bottom of the log with 19 points and three matches in hand, will rest this weekend, together with log leaders Stars.
Football coach Paulus Shipanga who is currently unattached, said Ongos will make matters very interesting if they win all their matches. “In all honesty, I would love Ongos to win the league, but I would give it to league champions Stars. They have experienced players and coaches.
“Khomas Nampol and Stars both have three matches in hand. Nampol has been inconsistent, but can surprise us,” said Shipanga. He predicted that Stars would defend the league successfully, Ongos will be runners-up and Nampol will bag third place.
- lmupetami@nepc.com.na