Title race wide open

With close to a third of the Debmarine Namibia Premiership completed, the title race is still wide open as the league heads into Round 8 and 9 matches throughout Namibia. 

The early pace-setters all face tough matches, with African Stars and FC Ongos travelling to the north, while log leaders Khomas Nampol host fourth-placed Blue Waters and sixth-placed Okahandja United.

Newly-promoted Khomas Nampol have been the surprise packet so far, leading the log on 20 points – two ahead of FC Ongos. They have built up an impressive record of six wins and only one defeat from their opening seven matches and could become title challengers, despite their coach Fortune Eichab’s protestations of lowered expectations.

“I dont think we are contenders yet, I am still sticking to our goal of just surviving in the premier league this season, and reaching our aim of getting 24 points in the first round of the season. We need six points to reach that target so we can do that if we win both our matches this weekend. If we reach that target then we can reassess and put new targets in place,” he said yesterday. 

“We have two tricky games against Okahandja and Blue Waters this weekend, but we want to keep our momentum going and are aiming for maximum points. I anticipate some tough encounters, but we are well prepared and I believe it will be two very good matches,” he added. 

Eichab said that his team was back to full strength with the return of striker Erich Tsam from injury, while confirming that they had signed Young Brazilians’ national midfielder Revered Matroos. There had been some confusion during the week about whether he had joined Nampol or African Stars, but Eichab confirmed that he has now signed for Nampol.

“Revered Matroos is a new signing and he is in line to make his debut this weekend. He’s our player, we got his registration documents signed. Stars were also interested in him and they agreed on a transfer with Young Brazilians, but he didn’t sign with them. We already held talks with him in January when he said he wanted to join us, and now we’ve got his signature,” he said. 

Matroos, who made his Brave Warriors debut against Botswana in the Cosafa Cup four months ago, will strengthen a side that is already well stacked with quality players like Denzil Haoseb, Absalom Iimbondi, Erasmus Ikeinge and Terdius Uiseb, as well as rising stars like Rewaldo Prins, George Frans and Ben Namib.

Blue Waters on 12 points and Okahandja on 10, will, however, be determined to close the gap on the leaders, and with two cracking encounters expected, Eichab called on soccer fans for their support. 

“Please come and support us – we are ready to display our God-given talents to take football in this country to the next level, so come and watch some beautiful football at the Unam stadium,” he said. 

FC Ongos and African Stars, second and third on the log on 16 and 14 points respectively, travel north and can also expect some difficult encounters. 

Ongos take on Mighty Gunners at Otjiwarongo tomorrow and can expect another full house at Oshakati on Sunday when they face Eeshoke Chula Chula. The northern-based team has brought a breathe of fresh air to the league with their record attendances, which has also helped them move up to fifth place on 12 points, just behind Blue Waters on goal difference.

African Stars take on Julinho at Rundu tomorrow and Okakarara Young Warriors at Grootfontein on Sunday. 

In other matches, Civics and Tigers take on Unam at the Unam Stadium, and Life Fighters at Otjiwarongo, while Orlando Pirates travel north to take on Okakara Young Warriors and Julinho Sporting.