Tigers drop off the pace

Log-leaders African Stars and second-placed Black Africa both won but Tigers suffered a defeat against Blue Waters to drop down to fifth place in Namibia Premier League matches on Saturday.

At the Sam Nujoma Stadium African Stars maintained their 10-point lead at the top of the log with a 2-0 victory against Benfica.

Stars struggled to break Benfica’s defence down, but after a goalless first half, substitute Joslin Kamatuka opened the scoring midway through the second half while Dennis Ngueza made it 2-0 with 10 minutes to go.

The victory saw Stars remaining at the top of the log on 44 points from 18 matches.

Stars did the early attacking with Bradley Wermann and Riaan Cloete cutting Benfica’s defence open with some quick passes, but their finishing was not up to par.

Wermann blasted over the bar from close range, while he had another shot tipped for a corner and Jamu Ngatjizeko headed over the bar from a corner.

Benfica launched some quick counterattacks with Edmund Kambanda and Ileni Haidula both coming close but Stars keeper Athiel Mbaha did well to come off his line and clear the danger. Just before halftime Benfica did hit the back of the net when Ananias Nakambulu scrambled in a loose ball but he was ruled offside.

Benfica came close early in the second half when Melvin Hoadom had a shot tipped for a corner, while Edmund Kambanda had a shot cleared off the line, but it was Stars who struck first when Kamatuka broke clear on the right wing and sent in a shot that hit the roof of the net.

Kamatuka continued to terrorise Benfica’s defence with his pace but it was Dennis Ngueza who sealed Stars’ win when he scored from close range after a great throughball by Riaan Cloete.

Black Africa remain second on 34 points after they beat United Stars 3-2.

Roger Katjiteo put BA ahead after only two minutes, while Marco van Wyk made it 2-0 on 24 minutes.

Bernadine Mbilizi opened United Stars’ account four minutes later but Willy Stephanus made it 3-1 on 70 minutes, before a late penalty by Alfeus Ngwezi made it 3-2.

BA started like a house on fire when Katjiteo latched onto a long pass and scored from close range after only two minutes.

United Stars came back with Ngwezi, Benadictus Mbangu and Bernadine Mbilizi coming close, but it was BA who stretched their lead when Marco van Wyk received the ball in space and struck a fine 25m shot.

Four minutes later United Stars opened their account when Bernadine Mbilizi dispossessed a defender and beat BA keeper Abongile Grootboom from close range.

BA’s new signing, Heini Isaacks created their third goal when he broke down the wing and crossed to Willy Stephanus who volleyed home from close range.

United Stars pulled a goal back with nine minutes to go when Alfeus Ngwezi scored from the spot after a handball in the box, but it was not enough as BA held on for the win.

Blue Waters caused an upset when they beat third-placed Tigers 2-1 at the SKW Stadium.

In a dramatic first half, goals by Reginald Haraseb and Ahtisaari Hipundjua put Blue Waters 2-0 ahead, but they were reduced to 10 men at the end of the first half when Festus Ndinhwa was sent off for a second yellow card.

Their coach Paulus Shipanga was also sent off after remonstrating with the referee, but Blue Waters managed to hold on for the win, despite Tigers pulling a goal back in the second half.

The result saw Blue Waters going fourth on 30 points while Tigers drop down to fifth place on 29 points.

Tura Magic moved up to sixth place with a 3-0 win against Touch & Go. Two goals by Peter Shalulile and one by the impressive Theophelus Junias gave Tura a comfortable win which puts them on 28 points with a match in hand.

On Friday, Orlando Pirates beat Civics 1-0 to move up to third place on the log on 32 points.

Civics dominated the first half, with Sadney Urikhob in great form, but they could not find the net and were punished midway through the second half when Jean Stephanus stabbed home a loose ball to give Pirates the victory.

In other matches on Saturday, Eleven Arrows beat Rebels 2-0, Unam and Julinho Sporting drew 1-1 and Citizens and Mighty Gunners drew 1-1.