Tura Magic eye Pirates scalp

By: HELGE SCHUTZ

NEWCOMERS Tura Magic take on unbeaten Orlando Pirates at the Independence Stadium at 20h00 tonight in a match that should provide an thrilling action.

Magic lost 1-0 at home in their opening match of the season against Blue Waters and the general feeling was that they would struggle in the top league this season. But in their next match they turned this view on its head with a resounding 3-0 victory against Tigers on October 3.
What was remarkable about that match was that two of their three goals were scored by substitutes, prompting coach Timo Tjongarero to
say that his bench played an important role in the team’s success.
“We don’t have any stars in our team – everyone is impor-
tant to the team’s success and especially our bench. They are the ones who can make a difference and they delivered against Tigers,” he said.
Tura Magic have a young squad but already defender Teberius Lombaard and defender Neville Tjiueza have been called up to the national squad, with Tjiueza mak-
ing his senior debut in last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Rwanda.
With other junior national players like Innocent Tembo, Oswaldo Xamseb, Alfeus Handura, Papi Kavezembi and Salom Pamp also in their midst they certainly have a team for the future, but will they be able to deliver the goods tonight against Pirates?
Magic’s coach Timo Tjon- garero said they were well prepared but that Pirates would provide tough opposi- tion.
“It’s going to be difficult because they are a good side and they are still unbeaten, but we’ve been training hard and are well prepared. We are approaching each game with the view of collecting three points, so we are certainly aiming to win this match,” he said.
Pirates coach Christy Guruseb said they were well prepared and determined to win the match.
“This is a very important match for us and the players realise it. If we win, we will go to the top of the log, even if its just for 24 hours and the players know what’s expected of them,” he said.
“We respect Tura Magic because it’s not every team that can beat Tigers. We are certainly not underestimat- ing them and all the players are highly motivated for the game,” he said.
Pirates have played some attractive soccer so far with ball wizard Gustav Isaack, Lucky Kooper and Mervin Areseb catching the eye in their early matches, while Ronaldo Tsowaseb scored a brilliant individual goal in their 1-0 victory against Mighty Gunners.
It should be an absorb- ing encounter between two creative and attacking teams, which could go either way.
In tomorrow’s other MTC Premiership Round 3 matches, log leaders African Stars host Blue Waters at the Sam Nu- joma Stadium (16h00), while Civics take on Rundu Chiefs at the Ramblers stadium (16h00).
Ramblers travel to Otji- warongo to take on Mighty Gunners at the Mokati Sta- dium (16h00), while Eleven Arrows host Tigers at the Narraville Stadium.

---