FORMER Black Africa midfield kingpin Rudi Louw earned African Stars a 1-0 victory over United Stars on Saturday to nudge his side within six points of the log leaders.
Louw struck the crucial blow 10 minutes into the first half of the drab encounter at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, after being set through on goal by teammate Milton Chapo. The crafty midfielder placed his shot past the onrushing Bartlett Thikerete in goals for United Stars. The win may have re-ignited ‘Starlile’s’ hopes of wresting the title back from BA, who were not in action this weekend. BA postponed its Saturday away date at Eleven Arrows to March 3 in order to make way for their unscheduled exhibition game against German Bundesliga Hoffenheim’s under-23 side. Sport Klub Windhoek also had yesterday’s match at home to Blue Waters moved to March 4 to accommodate the German youths. While BA faced the touring Germans yesterday afternoon, a combined SKW and Ramblers outfit lost 2-3 to Hoffenheim on Friday. Given BA’s stuttering start to the second half of the season, African Stars can start believing that a remarkable comeback – which was inconceivable at the end of the first round – is well and truly on. While they were not overly impressive in their back-to-back victories, the former champions are steadily raking in the points while putting BA under pressure to recapture their electrifying form from the opening round of the campaign. In the weekend’s other match, Orlando Pirates plundered ten-man Hotspurs 4-1 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Friday night. Two goals from Nicky Musambani, and one each from Lucky Kooper and Gustav Isaack steered the Buccaneers to their biggest win of the season. The victory moves Pirates up to seventh on 16 points, easing the pressure on coach Rusten Mogane.In a game marred by atrocious use of the ball and poor technical ability, Pirates thundered into the lead through the novice boot of Omaruru native Musambani, when the forward unleashed an unstoppable 30-metre screamer into the top right corner.Moments later Kooper hit a 20-metre carbon copy to put Pirates two up going into the halftime break. Midway through the second half, Hotspurs defender Severius Nangolo was given his marching orders for fouling and then elbowing the lively Musambani.Musambani netted his second and the game’s third when he volleyed home Etienne Beukes’ centre from close range. Hotspurs, who remained tenth on 12 points, then scored their consolation goal against the run of play through Jacky Stephanus.The Pirates rout continued when Gustav Isaack scored from the spot, after Theofelus Tsowaseb had been fouled in the box.
