Arrows aim for Birds’ demise

BLUE Waters and Eleven Arrows both have a daunting task to eliminate each other when they clash in an FNB Cup derby at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis tomorrow.

The match can swing either way, judging from the new acquisitions the two coastal sides have made, while the recent financial injections they received can also spur them on. Blue Waters, also known as ‘The Birds’ received possibly the biggest single sponsorship yet when Africa Personnel Services pumped in a hefty N$1 million into the side, while Arrows earlier renewed their relationship with Konica Minolta by getting a further N$150 000 for their league commitments this season.The two sides have gathered a number of players in an attempt to strengthen their line-ups, with Blue Waters having the better of their cross-town rivals in that department.Blue Waters have signed former Golden Bees midfielder Harold Haimbodi, while former Eleven Arrows and Chief Santos playmaker Charlie Aoseb has also joined their fold.They have also pocketed two youngsters from their feeder team Blue Birds in Marthinus Kootjie and Fillemon Hauwanga to help them in their quest for success in both the cup competition and the league this season.Arrows gave a chance to Thomas Imbili, Erwin Kaujende and Edmund Maletzky, three of their reserve team players (Young Eleven), to do duty for the senior side.However, the two sides still have their regulars, with Blue Waters strongman Fisher Kalimba, Armando Pedro and Johannes ‘Kulu’ Hawala still forming an integral part of the team.Eleven Arrows can rely on striker Robson Haitamba, defensive stalwart Rodney Doeseb and midfield genius Rudolf Bester.The tie at the generally relaxed Legare Stadium is expected to bring the eastern support base of the two sides to their feet, while the supporters who will be accompanying the two teams will also hope for their respective teams to come out on tops.Arrows will be under pressure, as they lost their two opening matches in the Namibia Premier League (NPL) last weekend.They fell 3-2 against African Stars on Saturday before they went on to lose 3-0 to SKW the following day.Blue Waters picked up a point in a 0-all draw against African Stars last Sunday, after losing 3-2 to SKW the previous day.It will first be a contest of survival, while it will also serve as a pride-saver for both sides as their followers have over the years refuse to accept defeat.At the same time of the Blue Waters vs Arrows clash, Tigers will be aiming to bring African Stars down in Mariental.Both matches are scheduled for 16h00.It will be a tantalising derby for the people in the south, with both sides having their minds set on securing a place in the next phase of the tournament the following day.Also at Gobabis, Orlando Pirates will not find it easy against Oshakati City in the first match of the day, as the northern side has gained the services of four players from their feeder side KK Palace for the new season.City will also have Chepela Chepela as one of their new players who came from Touch & Go this season, but they will be minus their key hitman Tangeni Nghishidimbwa, who is currently clubless.Premiership champions Civics will have no trouble in finding their way past Northern Stream First Division side Mighty Gunners, while the in-form SKW side will be given the chance to go through, provided they go all out to demolish lower-division side Deportivo Alaves.The same will go for Ramblers in their match against first-division side Robber Chanties from Khorixas.Black Africa have a similar easy task to sweep aside Invincible, also from the lower division, while the match between Friends and Golden Bees can go either way.Blue Waters, also known as ‘The Birds’ received possibly the biggest single sponsorship yet when Africa Personnel Services pumped in a hefty N$1 million into the side, while Arrows earlier renewed their relationship with Konica Minolta by getting a further N$150 000 for their league commitments this season.The two sides have gathered a number of players in an attempt to strengthen their line-ups, with Blue Waters having the better of their cross-town rivals in that department.Blue Waters have signed former Golden Bees midfielder Harold Haimbodi, while former Eleven Arrows and Chief Santos playmaker Charlie Aoseb has also joined their fold.They have also pocketed two youngsters from their feeder team Blue Birds in Marthinus Kootjie and Fillemon Hauwanga to help them in their quest for success in both the cup competition and the league this season.Arrows gave a chance to Thomas Imbili, Erwin Kaujende and Edmund Maletzky, three of their reserve team players (Young Eleven), to do duty for the senior side.However, the two sides still have their regulars, with Blue Waters strongman Fisher Kalimba, Armando Pedro and Johannes ‘Kulu’ Hawala still forming an integral part of the team.Eleven Arrows can rely on striker Robson Haitamba, defensive stalwart Rodney Doeseb and midfield genius Rudolf Bester.The tie at the generally relaxed Legare Stadium is expected to bring the eastern support base of the two sides to their feet, while the supporters who will be accompanying the two teams will also hope for their respective teams to come out on tops.Arrows will be under pressure, as they lost their two opening matches in the Namibia Premier League (NPL) last weekend.They fell 3-2 against African Stars on Saturday before they went on to lose 3-0 to SKW the following day.Blue Waters picked up a point in a 0-all draw against African Stars last Sunday, after losing 3-2 to SKW the previous day.It will first be a contest of survival, while it will also serve as a pride-saver for both sides as their followers have over the years refuse to accept defeat.At the same time of the Blue Waters vs Arrows clash, Tigers will be aiming to bring African Stars down in Mariental.Both matches are scheduled for 16h00.It will be a tantalising derby for the people in the south, with both sides having their minds set on securing a place in the next phase of the tournament the following day.Also at Gobabis, Orlando Pirates will not find it easy against Oshakati City in the first match of the day, as the northern side has gained the services of four players from their feeder side KK Palace for the new season.City will also have Chepela Chepela as one of their new players who came from Touch & Go this season, but they will be minus their key hitman Tangeni Nghishidimbwa, who is currently clubless.Premiership champions Civics will have no trouble in finding their way past Northern Stream First Division side Mighty Gunners, while the in-form SKW side will be given the chance to go through, provided they go all out to demolish lower-division side Deportivo Alaves.The same will go for Ramblers in their match against first-division side Robber Chanties from Khorixas.Black Africa have a similar easy task to sweep aside Invincible, also from the lower division, while the match between Friends and Golden Bees can go either way.