Stars stretch their lead as BA stumble

African Stars stretched their lead at the top of the MTC Namibia Premier League to nine points after Black Africa stumbled against Tigers on Saturday.

Stars comfortably beat Citizens 2-0 through a header by Pat Uanivi and a penalty goal by Joslin Kamatuka, but BA slipped up against Tigers, with Kennedy Hamutenya scoring the winning goal.

Stars however were never in danger against Citizens and took the game to their opponents from the start.

Freedom Puriza came close with a freekick early on while Bradley Wermann headed inches over after a fine cross by Engelhardt Kahua.

Their constant attacks paid off on 20 minutes when captain Pat Uanivi rose high to send a thumping header into the net form a corner.

With Joslin Kamatuka displaying great attacking skills, Wermann once again came close when he stabbed a cross inches wide, while Citizens keeper Immanuel Immanuel also brought off a fine save from Kamatuka.

Citizens were reduced to 10 men on 59 minutes when Edwin Korukuve beat Immanuel and with an open goal gaping, shot towards goal but Citizens defender John Engelbrecht brought off a diving save to tip his shot away.

Engelbrecht received his marching orders while Stars received a penalty that Kamautka confidently converted to put them 2-0 ahead.

Stars relaxed a bit towards the end, as they frustrated Citizens with a possession game and held on for a comfortable victory.

Stars now lead the log on 56 points from 24 matches, while BA are second on 47 points. Following their victory, Tigers have now closed the gap on BA to only two points as they move up to 45 points.

The relegation battle meanwhile heated up as Touch & Go obtained an important 3-1 victory against Julinho Sporting to move up to 14th position on the log.

The result saw Touch & Go joining Rebels on 17 points, but with a better goal difference. Both teams are now six points behind 13th placed Julinho Sporting, and still have a lot of work to do to escape relegation.

Rebels lost 4-0 against Unam, while Benfica stay rooted to the bottom of the log on eight points after losing 1-0 at home against United Stars.

In other matches, Pirates picked up a 3-1 victory on the road against Eleven Arrows at the Kuisebmond Stadium, while Blue Waters beat Mighty Gunners 1-0 and Civics and Tura Magic played to a goalless draw.

Tura Magic and Blue Waters are now both on 41 points, although Tura Magic are fourth on the log with a better goal difference.