Paulus Shipanga, Blue Waters head coach, insists that there is nothing wrong with his team as they need to turn draws into wins.
The coastal outfit finds themselves in the second-last position with only 11 points from 13 games played this season. Statistics show they only managed to collect maximum points once while drawing nine times. Waters have lost four matches, leaving them placed 15th on the log.
Responding to queries why a strong team with a rich history like Blue Waters is struggling, Shipanga insisted that the results are not that bad as the team just needs to tweak a few things.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong with the team,” said Shipanga. “I believe we have had too many draws this season, and what we need is to turn them into wins so we can start picking up points.”
“We are about 10 to 11 points behind the log leaders, and that is not bad. The moment we start converting those draws into wins, we will be in a great position to climb back to the top,” he added.
The 2022/23 league season runners-up face Julinho on Saturday and a wounded Cuca Tops on Sunday at Rundu Sport Stadium. Tops are rooted at the bottom of the standings with six points after 13 matches played this season.
According to Shipanga, despite Tops being at the bottom of the log, they won’t underestimate them. “There are no underdogs or weaker teams in the Premier League all teams are equally strong. We don’t underestimate them. This is football, and anything can happen during the game. So, we will go out there with the aim of winning,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mathew Tjirovi, the head coach at Tops, said the league is intensifying and reaching its climax, leaving them with no choice but to win their remaining fixtures.
“Our training went well this week, and we finalised preparations yesterday afternoon. We also have a couple of key players ruled out due to injuries, but we expect them to return on Sunday,” he said.
“This round is getting tense, and for us, this weekend is a must-win. We need to collect maximum points to catch up with the teams above us. The log leaders are just 15 points above us, which is achievable,” he added.
In other matches on this weekend, at Independence Stadium, Bucks Buccaneers will square off against Tigers at 19h00 tonight.
Action will resume tomorrow with various fixtures lined up at different venues. Khomas Nampol, placed third with 22 points, will take on KK Palace at Independence Stadium at 15h00.
At Keetmanshoop’s J. Stephanus Stadium, Young Brazilians will face off against Chula Chula in a tie expected to start at 16h00. Meanwhile, Unam will take on FC Ongos at Unam Stadium in Windhoek at 16h00.
In Gobabis, Young African will welcome Otjiwarongo-based Mighty Gunners in another exciting match set to commence at 16h00. At Rundu Sport Stadium, Julinho Athletic will take on Blue Waters and defending champions African Stars, who were in action during the week, will return to the field against Okahandja United at Nau-Aib Stadium.
On Sunday, Bucks Buccaneers and Ongos will clash at Unam Stadium at 13h00. At J. Stephanus Stadium, Young Brazilians will welcome KK Palace at 13h00, while Khomas Nampol will take on Eeshoke Chula Chula at Independence Stadium, also at 13h00.
On the other hand, Julinho will welcome Blue Boys at Rundu Sport Stadium in another fixture set for 13h00. Young African will take on Okahandja United at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis at 15h00.
Unam will welcome Tigers at Unam Stadium at 16h00, while African Stars will square off against Mighty Gunners. -mkambukwe@nepc.com.na