Abraham Mwanyekange
African Stars and Pstbet Eeshoke Chula Chula played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday at Oshakati Independence Stadium in Round 27 of the Namibia Premier Football League.
Before the match, defending champions African Stars were top of the log with 50 points. Eeshoke Chula Chula were second with 49 points. After the draw, Stars move to 51 points and stay first, while Eeshoke move to 50 points. Only one point separates the two title rivals with three games left this season.
Fans of both teams arrived in big numbers as both teams continue to pull the crowd everywhere they play. Fans sang and danced before the 16h30 kick-off, but neither side could find a goal in 90 minutes. Chula Chula did not defeat Stars in Oshakati.
Eeshoke Chula Chula coach John Sikerete said he is very happy with the result.
“It was expected with my inexperienced players. We are looking forward to the Khomas Nampol game to get 3 points, even if it won’t be easy for us because then they are very hungry and they want to win,” he said.
Chula Chula are hopeful of beating Khomas Nampol next and hope KK Palace can defeat African Stars. If that happens, Chula Chula will go top of the log with a two-point lead.
African Stars coach Agnus Elemu said they knew it would not be easy against Chula Chula at home with their fans behind them.
“The field was bumpy, and the players couldn’t connect their pattern. But we move on. We are hoping for the KK Palace game to get the important 3 points,” he said.
At the time of going to print, results of round 28 were not yet available, and FC Ongos were third in the log standings with 45 points. At the bottom, Tigers were 14th with 24 points after a 2-0 win against Blue Waters. Rundu Chiefs were 15th with 22 points, and Life Fighters were 16th with 21 points. The three teams at the bottom are fighting to avoid relegation.
With three games left, the race for the title and the battle to stay in the league might go down to the last day.