WINDHOEK – If the hype preceding tomorrow’s eagerly awaited Standard Bank Super Cup clash between traditional Katutura rivals Black Africa (aka Lively Lions) and African Stars is anything to go by, the mouth-watering clash will deliver nothing but exhilarating action.
The two giants will lock horns at the Sam Nujoma Stadium at 16h00, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter and Stars mentor Woody Jacobs was this week first to fire the warning salvo, saying his charges are well prepared and ready to deliver the killer blow.
“It feels good to see my players back in action and as for tomorrow’s match, playing BA is always exciting and stressful at the same time. We are planning to become the first team to lift this trophy and come tomorrow, there will be blood, sweat and tears on the pitch,” Jacobs warned.
He is fresh from guiding Stars to victory in the 2014 Bidvest Namibia Cup, subsequently earning the right to a place in the inaugural edition of the Super Cup encounter against the undisputed Namibian champions.
“We are just stepping it up now that we know for sure where we are and at the same time look forward to the league as well,” bragged Jacobs. Despite losing reliable goalkeeper Max Mbaeva and veteran defender Freedom Puriza in the off-season, Jacobs remains upbeat and believes he has adequate personnel to match BA pound for pound and challenge for honours in the coming season.
“We will surely miss Max in goal but we have adequate replacement in Athiel (Mbaha) and Helmut Maletzky, while we have also brought in Charles Uirab from Orlando Pirates, so we are quite comfortable in the goalkeeping department.”
The Reds have also reinforced their squad with the acquisition of overlapping defender Treasurer Kauapirura from Tigers and re-signed goofy-toothed Zimbabwean midfielder Milton Chapo from Blue Waters, while the club signed-free scoring striker Tinkler Kahua from Pirates as well.
Defender Mujeje Kaujende from Eleven Arrows will add more steel to the team’s rearguard and ensure the team maintains continuity if Stars are to displace BA from the pedestal.
Not surprisingly, Stars have resolved to offload veteran wayward midfielder Razzie Tjikuzu, while the trio of Edison ‘Masinga’ Muheua, John ‘Zizou’ Novengi and Ikua Tjozongoro were deemed surplus to requirements.
However, veteran defender Hartmann Toromba will remain with the club in the technical department after he announced his retirement from the game.
Meanwhile, Black Africa will be without the services of mercurial midfielder Awilo Stephanus, while doubts hang over the availability of new signee Pinehas Jakob, who is struggling with a niggling injury.
Nevertheless, BA coach Brian Isaacs is not reading too much into that as he believes he has enough firing power at his disposal. “Without the services of Awilo and Pinehas will obviously be a huge blow but I have enough depth in my squad to handle or even beat Stars, so it’s not really a big issue going into tomorrow’s match,” said a confident Isaacs.
The Super Cup winners will receive N$500 000 with the runner-up taking home a consolation prize of N$200 000. Tickets will cost N$30 per person and are available at all Computicket outlets at Checkers and Shoprite stores countrywide.