Chula Chula take Windhoek by storm

EESHOKE Chula Chula took Windhoek by storm, while FC Ongos went to the top of the log for the first time after the weekend’s Debmarine Namibia Premiership matches. 

On Saturday, the Hage Geingob Stadium was packed to capacity for the showdown between defending champions African Stars and Eeshoke Chula Chula, who were playing their first match in the capital. 

Thousands of fans turned up for the match, with many travelling down from the north, and they were not disappointed as both teams dished up a spectacle to savour. 

Stars came close early on when Peter Adiwoh rose high to meet an Edmund Kambanda freekick, but Chula Chula’s goalkeeper Nason Ngoma did well to punch the ball clear. 

Willy Stephanus also troubled Chula Chula’s defence with his pace and ball skills, but the visitors started creating some chances of their own, with Alfeus Leevi and Hosea Simeon displaying some quick passes in midfield, while George Marselinu had a shot saved.

Stars, however, stepped up their efforts, with a cross by Angelo Kuezi hitting the post, before Willy Stephanus opened their account when he steered home another pinpoint cross by Kuezi shortly before halftime.

The game opened up after the break, as a cross by Stephanus was tipped over the bar, while at the other end, Johannes Baziliu blasted over from close range. 

Stars winger Uetuuru Kambato had a cracking shot tipped away by Ngoma for a corner, but Chula Chula finally equalised when striker Albino Joao ran onto a great throughball and beat Stars’ keeper, Kamaijanda Ndisiro, from close range. 

Stars pushed hard for the winner in the closing stages, but Chula Chula midfielder Riddick Gariseb cleared a shot from a corner off the line, while Ngoma made another fine save, punching an Uetuuru Kambato freekick away. 

Chula Chula hung on for a valuable draw and the next day did even better when they beat Orlando Pirates 1-0 at the same venue. 

They looked dangerous from the outset with a cracking shot by Joao being tipped over by Chiamiso Pieters for a corner, while Joao also hit the post with a great volley just before the break.

Pirates came close after a fine run by Sadney Urikhob into the box, but Giovanni Engelbrecht’s shot went high over, and the visitors took the lead when Rivaldo Laksman finished off a counterattack on 62 minutes.

Pirates came storming back with a shot by Mckenny Ndjilaviua hitting the crossbar, and their pressure told when they won a penalty after Engelbrecht was brought down in the box. Urikhob’s shot was, however, well saved by Ngoma, who further entertained the fans with some ball juggling tricks in the closing stages. 

That win saw Chula Chula moving up to fourth place on 11 points, while Stars moved up to third position on 14 points, after beating Mighty Gunners 1-0 on Sunday. 

FC Ongos, meanwhile, went to the top of the log for the first time this season after beating Unam 3-0 on Friday and drawing 0-0 to Life Fighters on Sunday. 

Against Unam, Nicodemus Haikali gave them an early lead when he headed in from a corner, while a great half-volley by Junias Theophilus put them 2-0 ahead shortly after the break. 

Unam had several chances of their own with Edmar Kamatuka and Onesmus Martin coming close, but Haikali sealed Ongos’ win with a freekick that Unam keeper Imoter Keffi fumbled into the net. 

That win put Ongos at the top of the log on 16 points, although Khomas Nampol, who are a point behind in second place, have two games in hand. 

Unam, meanwhile, drew 1-1 against Young African on Sunday, but they have now dropped down to ninth position on the log on seven points.

Pirates also lost 1-0 to Mighty Gunners on Saturday, to drop down to 12th position on four points, while Young African beat Life Fighters 2-1 on Friday evening to move up to 11th place on six points.