BA and Pirates in league opener

THE traditional Katutura derby between Orlando Pirates and Black Africa will herald in the 2007/2008 Namibia Premier League (NPL) soccer season, when the two sides lock horns on Friday, September 28 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

The two teams played their last league game against each other last season with Pirates emerging as winners with a 2-1 victory. In last season’s first-round match, Black Africa beat the Buccaneers by a solitary goal at the Independence Stadium.Former APS Blue Waters coach, Shepherd Murape, has taken over as Pirates’ new coach in the place of Ali Akan, who joined South African side FC AK in the Mvela Golden League first division.Murapes’s former employer at Blue Waters, Hendrick Dawids has also joined Pirates in a new leading role.Murape confirmed his appointment at Pirates to Namibia Sport, saying: “I am still with my old boss.We understand each other.It is not much of a change for me; it’s just a change of team colours.I am very excited with our squad and looking forward to the new season.I think we can achieve a lot.”The side has also been strengthened by the return of their former captain Richard Gariseb, who returns on a loan agreement between his South African club Bidvest Wits and Pirates.Gariseb has applied for permanent residence in South Africa and is just waiting for his clearance before he returns.Pirates also seem to be on the verge of making major signings for the new season.Pirates’ former dribbling wizard Riaan Cloete and Civics’ midfield kingpin Rudi Louw have joined the Sea Robbers for early season training, although their transfers still have to be confirmed.www.namibiasport.com.naIn last season’s first-round match, Black Africa beat the Buccaneers by a solitary goal at the Independence Stadium.Former APS Blue Waters coach, Shepherd Murape, has taken over as Pirates’ new coach in the place of Ali Akan, who joined South African side FC AK in the Mvela Golden League first division.Murapes’s former employer at Blue Waters, Hendrick Dawids has also joined Pirates in a new leading role.Murape confirmed his appointment at Pirates to Namibia Sport, saying: “I am still with my old boss.We understand each other.It is not much of a change for me; it’s just a change of team colours.I am very excited with our squad and looking forward to the new season.I think we can achieve a lot.”The side has also been strengthened by the return of their former captain Richard Gariseb, who returns on a loan agreement between his South African club Bidvest Wits and Pirates.Gariseb has applied for permanent residence in South Africa and is just waiting for his clearance before he returns.Pirates also seem to be on the verge of making major signings for the new season.Pirates’ former dribbling wizard Riaan Cloete and Civics’ midfield kingpin Rudi Louw have joined the Sea Robbers for early season training, although their transfers still have to be confirmed.www.namibiasport.com.na