Zebaldt Ngaruka
Abraham Mwanyekange
Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) Rounds 27 and 28 will continue this weekend, with each team hoping to earn maximum points and meet their season objectives.
African Stars are leading the table with 50 points. They are followed closely by Eeshoke Chula Chula with 49 points. Ongos are third with 44 points, while King Kauluma Palace (KK) are fourth with 41 points. There are only four matches left, so every game is very important.
The talk of the nation is the encounter between Eeshoke Chula Chula and African Stars, who will lock horns at the Oshakati Independence Stadium tomorrow at 16h30.
According to African Stars captain Ronald Stigger Ketjijere, this match is the title decider, and his team is ready to face Chula on their home ground.
Ketjijere said the team is ready; they travelled to Oshakati yesterday morning to train for two days.
“We have to beat Chula Chula and KK Palace to win the league this weekend. Chula will be playing a different ball game this Saturday as they want to take the game from us and win the league,” he said.
Ketjijere added that Chula Chula will be pressing; however, he said Stars will be up to the task and will try by all means to win this game to retain the league.
Chula Chula coach John Sikerete said his team is ready, despite some injuries.
“We have some injured players like Esenge Yanzambe, but we are still strong. We take one game at a time and we want to win,” he said.
He also said the team did not expect to fight for the title this season.
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Third placed FC Ongos will be hosting Bucks Buccaneers at the Independence Stadium in the early Premier League fixture on Friday at 19h00 and Okahandja United at the same venue on Sunday at 15h00.
Ongo’s head coach, Ronnie Kananelo, said his team is ready for the encounter and will play according to its training manual.
The notable absentee from the FC Ongos squad, Kananelo said, is their top goalscorer, Petrus Stephanus, who is out with an injury.
“Aside from Stevie, everyone else is available for selection,” said the head coach.
KK Palace interim coach Sakaria Shafa Kambonde also spoke about his team, saying Bongani Tsowaseb and Jasper Masealeti are injured, but the team is ready.
“Our goal is to finish in the top four. We also want to do well in these games,” he said.
Elsewhere, Mighty Gunners FC will host Rundu-based outfits Julinho Athletic FC and Rundu Chiefs tomorrow and Sunday, respectively, at their famous Mokati Stadium.
Kati Nambandi, Gunners’ head coach, said his team is approaching both games with full respect, as Julinho and Chiefs are competitive clubs that can hurt you if you are not fully focused.
With only a few matches left, the league is still open, and fans can expect exciting football as teams fight for the trophy.
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