Heavyweight clash at the coast

Defending champions African Stars take on Blue Waters in a heavyweight clash at the coast, while Khomas Nampol’s title credentials will be tested with two tough home matches in Debmarine Namibia Premiership matches this weekend.

Last season Stars romped to the title by a record margin of 12 points, while they only suffered one defeat, but they got a reality check last Sunday when FC Ongos beat them 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. 

It’s still early days yet, but this season’s league already seems to be much more competitive with a host of teams having emerged in the title race. 

The early log leaders, Khomas Nampol, are the only remaining unbeaten team in the league with nine points from three matches, but their coach Fortune Eichab downplayed suggestions that they will be title challengers this season. 

“Of course we are happy with our position, but we are just occupying the top spot for one of the big teams for the time being, and we are just enjoying the moment while it lasts,” he said. 

“I think African Stars are still the favourites, they have a strong squad of players and technical staff, while other teams like Blue Waters, Ongos and Unam could also be contenders,” he added.

Khomas Nampol face two tough matches against Unam tonight and Life Fighters on Sunday and Eichab said they respected their opponents. 

“Unam are a strong side with several junior national players and two of the best Namibian coaches in Ronnie Kanalelo and Robert Nauseb, so it will be a tough match. We respect them like any other team and we will just try and improve on the mistakes we made in our previous matches,” he said. 

“Life Fighters are also tough opponents, but the boys are fired up and we will go all out to win both matches. If we can win our home matches it will put us in a good position to remain in the premiership, which is still our main target at this stage,” he added. 

Stars, meanwhile, are lying third on six points, but they face two tough matches on the road, against Okahandja United at the Nau-aib Stadium tomorrow and against Blue Waters at the Vineta Stadium in Swakopmund on Sunday. 

Okahandja and Blue Waters are also amongst the early leaders on six points, and both teams will be difficult to beat on their home turf. 

Last season Blue Waters were the only side to beat Stars, and they have once again assembled a strong squad this season, including prolific former national striker Issaskar Gurirab, while Okahandja beat Blue Waters last weekend. 

Unam, meanwhile, made a big statement with a 5-1 victory against Okakarara Young Warriors last Saturday, only to suffer a 2-1 defeat to Blue Waters the next day, and they will hope to be more consistent against Khomas Nampol and Young Brazilians this weekend. 

FC Ongos made headlines with their stunning victory against Stars last Sunday, and they will be aiming for maximum points when they host Julinho Sporting and Okakarara Young Warriors at the SKW Stadium this weekend. 

Tigers, who are also one of six clubs on six points, are on the road with two tough away matches against Mighty Gunners in Otjiwarongo tomorrow and Eeshoke Chula Chula in Oshakati on Sunday. 

Newcomers Chula Chula have taken the premiership by storm, beating Gunners 2-1 in their only match to date, when thousands of fans crammed into the Oshakati Independence Stadium, and with another bumper crowd expected, Tigers will be up against it. 

In other matches this weekend, Young African host Okakarara Young Warriors and Julinho Sporting at Gobabis’ Legare Stadium; Young Brazilians host Life Fighters and Unam at the J Stephanus Stadium in Keetmanshoop; Orlando Pirates are away to Blue Waters and Okahandja United; and Civics are away to Eeshoke Chula Chula and Mighty Gunners.