Double header action

By: HELGE SCHUTZ

THIS weekend’s action in the MTC Premiership kicks off with a mouthwatering double header featuring Black Africa, Ramblers, African Stars and Civics at the Independence Stadium tonight. Defending champions BA will take on Ramblers at 19h30 while current log leaders African Stars will face Civics at 21h30.

Black Africa will have to be at their best against a resurgent Ramblers who are currently second on the log. 

Ramblers got off to a great start last weekend when they beat SKW 3-0, with Donovan Swartz, Heinrich Kazerua and Immanuel Heita scoring their goals. Their new coach Woody Jacobs has moulded a young team into an effective unit and given young players like Heita and Randall Goagoseb a chance to prove themselves. 

They came through with flying colours against SKW and with other stalwarts like Larry Horaeb, Simon Shikokola, Emilio Martin and Amy Savihemba giving solid performances, Ramblers have developed into a fine all-round side. 

Black Africa will also remember that Ramblers stopped their unbeaten run last year and were the only team that beat them throughout the season. 

Black Africa are not the defending champions for nothing, however, and although they only managed a draw in their season opener against Orlando Pirates, they have a star-studded side that will be going all out to win the league title for three years in a row. 

In players like Bryan Bantam, Marco van Wyk, Klaas Blom, Eslin Kamuhanga and Willy Stephanus they have an attacking midfield second to none, while strikers Jerome Louis, Roger Katjiteo and Marco van Wyk are some of the best finishers around. BA’s only problem might be complacency, because as the champions, all the other teams will want to beat them. 

 

STARS VS CIVICS

 

African Stars got off to a great start last weekend when they beat Rundu Chiefs 5-1, with players like Riaan Cloete, Bradley Wermann, Clarence Foroma and Deon Kavendji all giving fine performances. 

Civics, however, are sure to provide tougher opposition and already made their intentions clear when they held Eleven Arrows to a 2-2 draw in Walvis Bay last weekend. 

Arrows seemed set to win the match but a last minute goal by Brian Brendell gave Civics a share of the spoils. They, too, have some exciting players in their team like NPL Player of the Season Heini Isaacks and national striker Sadney Urikhob, while youngsters like Wangu Gome, Peter Steven and Steven Gariseb are growing in stature. 

The Ramblers vs Black Africa clash will start at 19h30 while the African Stars vs Civics match will start at 21h30. The entrance fee is N$30 per person, while there will be no VIP tickets for sale.

Tomorrow, Blue Waters take on Eleven Arrows in the coastal derby at the Narraville Rugby Stadium. Blue Waters got an important away win against Tura Magic last weekend but Arrows will be going all out for a win after only picking up a point against Civics. 

Cymot SKW will be determined to make amends after their 3-0 defeat to Ramblers but they face a tough task away to Rundu Chiefs. 

Orlando Pirates host Mighty Gunners at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, and with both teams not getting off to winning starts, another tough battle can be expected. 

 

TURA MAGIC

SHOCK TIGERS

 

Meanwhile, Tura Magic scored a sensational 3-0 victory against Tigers at the Independence Stadium on Wednesday night. 

They opened the scoring after barely a minute when Peter Shatulile stabbed home a cross by Patrick Sakala.

Tigers did most of the attacking for the rest of the first half, with Pineas Jacob, Denver Meyer, Panduleni Nekundi and Edward Asino all putting in strong attacks. Tura’s defence, with Teberius Lombaard, Innocent Tembo and Erastus Ndjavera prominent, however stood firm. 

Tigers coach Bobby Samaria brought on Razundara Tjikuzu for Nekundi in the second half, but it was Tura Magic coach Timo Tjongarero who made the more inspired substitutions. 

Semfried Maharero substituted Innocent Tembo and nine minutes after his appearance he made the score 2-0 when he headed home from a Sakala corner. 

With eight minutes to go, Tjongarero brought on Junior Theophelus for Petrus Shatulile and he made an even bigger impact, scoring barely 30 seconds after coming on when he rounded off a counterattack to score at the far post. 

Tigers’ misery was compounded when they won a penalty in the final minute for a foul on Denver Meyer, but Edward Asino’s shot bounced off the crossbar.

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