WINDHOEK – In current form, MTC Premier League early pacesetters, Tigers Football Club, should be considered firm favourites to maintain their 100% start to the 2013/2014 league campaign, but history will be against Bobby Samaria’s well conditioned charges when they entertain Ramblers at the Sam Nujoma stadium tonight at 20h00.
After four rounds of matches, Tigers are the only unbeaten side and boast a remarkable maximum 12-point tally going into their clash against their cross town rivals in tonight’s penultimate clash. The rivalry between the two oldest clubs in Namibian football dates back to the days of apartheid when authorities ordered Tigers in no uncertain terms to change their blue and white colours, because Ramblers, then a predominantly white football team also wore the same colours. Ingweinyama have certainly made a serious statement in their quest to claim their first league title in an independent Namibia, despite having enjoyed enormous success in NFA Cup competitions in the mid 90’s.
Tigers won the inaugural edition of the strong eight-team Namibia National Super League (NNSL) in 1985, but never managed to lay their hands on the coveted silverware again ever since. In Samaria, Tigers have one of the shrewdest football brains in the local game and given his impressive resume, the rejuvenated Shandumbala Boys could be the team to dislodge Black Africa from the pedestal – come end of the season. With a massive 8-points separating the two teams, an unlikely victory for the Rammies will propel Jerry Zimmer’s young brigade to joint 2nd spot on 7-points at least for a few hours.
MTC Premier League surprise package Tura Magic travel to Rundu to confront league rookies United Stars in the first of a double header slated for the Rundu Stadium tomorrow at 13h00. Basement-dwellers Rundu Chiefs host FNB Orlando Pirates in the main match.
Reigning Namibian champions Black Africa are at home to Eleven Arrows at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura, while Katutura glamour football club African Stars are at sea level to square off against old foes LHU Blue Waters at the Kuisebmund Stadium in Walvis Bay. Meanwhile, the revitalized Civics are in action against the much improved PC Blue Boys at the Vineta Stadium in Swakomund to complete the weekend’s lineup. Unless otherwise stated, all matches start at 16h00 sharp.
By Carlos Kambaekwa