This weekend marks the much-anticipated return of the Namibia Rugby Union Premier League, as teams across the country gear-up for the start of the new season.
FNB Unam 1 coach, Desiderius Sethie, is confident of his team’s chances of winning their opening match against FNB Western Suburbs 1 at Suburbs Park in Windhoek tomorrow. Unam’s previous season ended with a bitter 29-22 loss to Wanderers in the final. Sethie acknowledged the pain of that defeat but emphasised the team’s goal to bounce back and reclaim the title this year.
It all begins with the first match,” Sethie said, stressing that their ultimate aim is to secure the season’s honours.
In another exciting fixture, FNB Kudus 1 will take on Simonis Storm Dolphin 1 at Kudus field. Roger Thompson, Kudus 1 director of rugby, spoke about the intensity expected of the derby.
“The derby is never easy. I am satisfied with our preparations. Our main focus is to start well. The match itself creates a lot of enthusiasm and motivation within the team. The players will be fired up, but execution of the technical details will be key. We aim to establish a solid foundation in set pieces. It’s going to be a tough season.
“Dolphins have grown into a phenomenal team since they started, and they continue to improve every year. We know they’re excited and have acquired expertise in several areas. We’ve had no warm-up matches since our last game in August, so we need to be technically and tactically accurate. The first 40 minutes will be crucial, after which we’ll re-strategize at half-time and focus on the basics while adjusting throughout the season,” Thompson stated.
Dolphins head coach Hauta Veii said his team has prepared well. “We’ve had a great turnout in training, which has been very positive. Our aim is to finish in the top six of the league. It’s an ambitious target, but we have faith in our players and structures. A good performance in tomorrow’s match will set us on the right track. We know it will be a tough challenge playing against the top four teams, but we’re ready for a big game,” he added.
In other premier league action, Trustco United 1 will go head-to-head with FNB Grootfontein 1 at United Sports Field. FNB Reho Falcon 1 will take on FNB Wanderers 1 at Falcon Field. Reho Falcon’s director of rugby Gerald Loubser acknowledged the depth of Wanderers’ squad.
“Wanderers have the best national representation. They field a very strong team, and the clubs outside Windhoek have a disadvantage. The moment you get a good player; they’re often attracted to bigger clubs. Unfortunately, this creates a challenge for towns around Windhoek. We’ve lost about nine players from our first team to various clubs in Windhoek and the coast. Players are also lured by job opportunities, as employment in Rehoboth is scarce. This remains a challenge, but we are not afraid. We’ll put on a great show, despite losing players.”
Loubser added that there’s been a fresh influx of young talent at Reho Falcon, which is a boost for the team.
“Although these young players are fresh out of school and need grooming, they bring a lot of energy. It will be tough, but we will give a good reflection of ourselves and fight hard,” Loubser concluded.
All Premier League matches will kick off at 15h45, while Reserve League matches will begin at 14h00. In the Reserve League, FNB Kudus 2 will face Simonis Storm Dolphin 2, FNB Reho Falcon will play FNB Wanderers 2, Western Suburbs 2 will meet Unam 2, and Trustco United 2 will go up against Grootfontein 2.
–lmupetami@nepc.com.na