.. Big reputations at stake
WINDHOEK – With proceedings in the country’s biggest football bonanza, the Bidvest Namibia Cup, now getting more serious as teams head into round 16 of the competition, this Friday’s clash between rivals African Stars and Orlando Pirates promises to produce fireworks.
With the showdown slated for the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Friday, all eyes will be on Stars mentor Woody Jacobs and Pirates’ Ali Akan when the two Katutura giants confront each other in the much-anticipated Katutura derby. Many football lovers are eager to see what Akan has in store for his former paymasters, while Jacobs is under pressure to ensure they successfully retain the coveted title.
On paper, Jacobs stands a good chance of walking away as the victor, because with the likes of the highly experienced Razundara Tjikuzu, Riaan Cloete, Johannes ‘Boetitjie’ Seibeb, Asprilla Wermann and their lethal goal-poacher Gazza Kazeurua amongst others, Stars boast more players who can dictate the pace of a match at will and therefore stand a better chance of victory.
But it will however not be an easy assignment for Jacobs, as Pirates are under the guidance of the much-experienced Akan and will definitely be looking to demonstrate to their success-starved fans that they are serious title contenders and can go all the way.
Needless to say, Akan’s charges have a lot resting on their shoulders and can be expected to throw everything in the way of the Reds to prove a point or two and take their campaign to a higher level.
In other action also at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, Kaizen Football Academy will face a tough task when they take on Premier League side Ramblers at 19h00. On Saturday (1 March) at the Mariental Stadium Mountain Rangers take on Rundu Chiefs and at 15h00 Blue Waters confront Tigers in an all-premier league encounter before the all-Southern Stream First Division fixture between Citizens and Mariental side Bee Bob Brothers at 17h00.
In Gobabis at the Legare Stadium, action will start at 13h00 with Tura Magic against Otjozondjupa second division side Tropical Heat to be followed by another exciting encounter between Blue Boys and United Stars at 15h00, while the final match of the day will see Erongo second division side Blue Birds taking on premiership side Black Africa for a place in round 16 of the Bidvest Namibia Cup.
Chairperson of the NFA Cup Organising Committee Roger Kambatuku said the choice of the three venues is about taking action to the people: “This is the flagship competition of the NFA and it is important that we ensure that all our people get to see the best of action, and Mariental and Gobabis, besides the normal Windhoek venue, were better placed for this round and next time we will consider other towns as well.”
Tickets for the matches will be available as from Thursday at all Computicket outlets at Shoprite and Checkers countywide and each ticket costs N$30.
By Otniel Hembapu