BA, Pirates gear for battle royal

FIREWORKS can be expected at the Sam Nujoma Stadium tonight when traditional rivals Black Africa and Orlando Pirates clash in what has become known as one of the most fiercely contested battles in the country.

South Africa has its own big one when Kaizer Chiefs engage Orlando Pirates; Zimbabwe has Highlanders vs Dynamos while Zambia offers Kabwe Warriors vs Power Dynamos. But probably the biggest derby on the continent is the encounter between Al Ahly and Zamalek in the Egyptian domestic league.Despite the fierce battles on the playing field, derbies are good for football and there could be no other way to pump up the adrenaline of players and fans alike.Needless to say, one does not need a psychologist to motivate the players because the mere mention of the rivals’ name serves as enough motivation.Today when the clock strikes 19h30, local football fans will have the opportunity to witness the big clash between two of Katutura and Namibia’s biggest clubs when the Sea Robbers host the Lively Lions.Never mind Pirates’ top third placing on the log standings because this is one battle where the form book and previous statistics never count.There is actually a lot to play for in this encounter because, apart from scoring three valuable points to improve the log standings, a win also secures the winner bragging rights as the best team in Katutura until the next clash.Black Africa-Pirates engagements provide for exciting moments and it is certainly one match no serious football lover dares to miss.Apart from the breathtaking action provided by the two sets of teams on the field, the fans are also all pumped up and the cheering and screaming from the stands just adds to an exciting 90 minutes of pure magic.Tonight’s derby clash could not have come at a better moment, because both teams are presently enjoying excellent form and with the players at their disposal the fans can look forward to a real humdinger.So this is one match one cannot afford to miss and since the encounter will be contested at the refurbished former Katutura Stadium, one can expect a very vocal capacity crowd.So pack up your picnic bags and be at the Sam Nujoma Stadium tonight when Orlando Pirates engage their biggest rivals, Black Africa, in the first-round clash of the MTC Namibia Premier League.* Tigers beat Civics 1-0 in a midweek match at the same venue through the boot of Leonard ‘Kwambi’ Stanley, after he beat the Civics offside trip off a clever pass from Nelson Akwenye.The score line stood at 0-0 at half-time with plenty of chances going the way of both sides, but constantly missing the target.In essence, Tigers defended aggressively and left little room for Civics dangerman William Chilufya to make an impact, while the midfield duo of Heinrich Isaacs and Rudi Louw were shut out of the game by Rene Werner and Page Ananias, who did a sterling job in the middle of the park.Kwambi had two one-on-one attempts against Civics goalie Zico Paulus in each half, but failed to keep a cool-head as both shots went astray.Tempers were high at the sparsely attended match when Civics team manager Paul Stramis was dismissed from the bench after he used vulgar language towards the assistant referee.Surely the man of the match was Tigers defender Jeremia Baisako who guarded his half with fierce tackles, while his runs on the left flank proved a pain for the Civics defence in some instances.Civics have lost only once in their league campaign, but are facing further tough challenges against coastal sides Blue Waters and Eleven Arrows at the weekend.Tigers will hope to win their fixtures against Chief Santos and Oshakati City in Windhoek at the weekend to solidify their position on the log, as they currently find themselves in mid-table.But probably the biggest derby on the continent is the encounter between Al Ahly and Zamalek in the Egyptian domestic league.Despite the fierce battles on the playing field, derbies are good for football and there could be no other way to pump up the adrenaline of players and fans alike.Needless to say, one does not need a psychologist to motivate the players because the mere mention of the rivals’ name serves as enough motivation.Today when the clock strikes 19h30, local football fans will have the opportunity to witness the big clash between two of Katutura and Namibia’s biggest clubs when the Sea Robbers host the Lively Lions.Never mind Pirates’ top third placing on the log standings because this is one battle where the form book and previous statistics never count.There is actually a lot to play for in this encounter because, apart from scoring three valuable points to improve the log standings, a win also secures the winner bragging rights as the best team in Katutura until the next clash.Black Africa-Pirates engagements provide for exciting moments and it is certainly one match no serious football lover dares to miss.Apart from the breathtaking action provided by the two sets of teams on the field, the fans are also all pumped up and the cheering and screaming from the stands just adds to an exciting 90 minutes of pure magic.Tonight’s derby clash could not have come at a better moment, because both teams are presently enjoying excellent form and with the players at their disposal the fans can look forward to a real humdinger.So this is one match one cannot afford to miss and since the encounter will be contested at the refurbished former Katutura Stadium, one can expect a very vocal capacity crowd.So pack up your picnic bags and be at the Sam Nujoma Stadium tonight when Orlando Pirates engage their biggest rivals, Black Africa, in the first-round clash of the MTC Namibia Premier League.* Tigers beat Civics 1-0 in a midweek match at the same venue through the boot of Leonard ‘Kwambi’ Stanley, after he beat the Civics offside trip off a clever pass from Nelson Akwenye.The score line stood at 0-0 at half-time with plenty of chances going the way of both sides, but constantly missing the target.In essence, Tigers defended aggressively and left little room for Civics dangerman William Chilufya to make an impact, while the midfield duo of Heinrich Isaacs and Rudi Louw were shut out of the game by Rene Werner and Page Ananias, who did a sterling job in the middle of the park.Kwambi had two one-on-one attempts against Civics goalie Zico Paulus in each half, but failed to keep a cool-head as both shots went astray.Tempers were high at the sparsely attended match when Civics team manager Paul Stramis was dismissed from the bench after he used vulgar language towards the assistant referee.Surely the man of the match was Tigers defender Jeremia Baisako who guarded his half with fierce tackles, while his runs on the left flank proved a pain for the Civics defence in some instances.Civics have lost only once in their league campaign, but are facing further tough challenges against coastal sides Blue Waters and Eleven Arrows at the weekend.Tigers will hope to win their fixtures against Chief Santos and Oshakati City in Windhoek at the weekend to solidify their position on the log, as they currently find themselves in mid-table.