By Carlos Kambaekwa
WINDHOEK
Perennial under-achievers and MTC Namibia Premiership early pacesetters Ramblers are out to consolidate their position at the top of the League when the Pionierspark-based outfit host African Stars at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium tonight at 19h00.
The Tunchel Street Boys started their league campaign like a house on fire and are the only team with maximum points so far going into Round 3 of the lucrative MTC Namibia Premier League action.
Rammies have so far rattled the opposition’s net more than any of the other competitors with five goals to their credit while conceding two goals only in just over 180 minutes of action – a ratio of 2.5 goals per match.
Stars lost their opening match at home to Eleven Arrows but the Reds redeemed themselves and scored a morale boosting victory over league rookies Mighty Gunners at the Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo last weekend.
The latest news from the Stars’ camp is that former Brave Warriors’ playmaker Congo Hindjou is still struggling to shake off a groin injury suffered during pre-season training and the team’s diehards are likely to wait a little longer before the Jackal finally makes his much-anticipated debut for the Reds.
Defending champions Civics will be determined to close the gap with the log leaders when the wealthy Khomasdal outfit entertain last season’s surprise package Oshakati City at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium in tomorrow’s only day match. (kick off 16h00)
Despite being unbeaten in their league campaign so far, City are yet to win a match and any ambition to change that scenario could remain on hold, at least for the time being, as they face the fired up Civilians, still fresh from their hard-fought win over Eleven Arrows in last weekend’s clash.
City surprised friend and foe after finishing runner-up last season, but the team is battling to regain the form which made them a fearful combination and the Northerners have only managed to pocket a meagre two points out of a possible six from uninspiring home draws in their opening matches.
Orlando Pirates should have little trouble in dispatching Fedics back to the Southern capital with their tails firmly tucked between the legs when Sheperd Murape’s charges meet the winless league rookies at the Sam Nujoma Stadium tomorrow evening at 19h00.
As it stands, the Buccaneers are on the roll while Fedics are finding life in the country’s tough and demanding elite league a little more awkward than the relatively easy ride they enjoyed in the company of their fellow lower division competitors before the Southerners got promoted to the country’s top tier division.
Elsewhere, KM Eleven Arrows have a date with Dawid Snewe’s Mighty Gunners at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay tomorrow evening at 18h00.
It will be Arrows’ first home match and Wire Shipanga’s lads will be out to put last weekend’s slight dip in form aside following the gold and maroon clad outfit’s narrow defeat at the hands of Civics away in Windhoek.
Black Africa and APS Blue Waters will wrap up the weekend’s Premiership activities when the two struggling teams lock horns at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in the capital on Sunday at 15h00.