Battle on in premiership

THE battle in the Namibian Premiership continues this weekend after a short break when Civics, Ramblers and Oshakati City will strive to keep their favourable positions as the top three intact, while clubs at the base will fight to get out of the danger zone.

Defending champions Civics are just two points ahead of Ramblers, who have been chasing them down effectively, while Oshakati City are in third spot, looking as a serious threat to both adrift from Civics. Friends, Golden Bees and Blue Waters are at the bottom of the table and their matches this weekend will be crucial to get them into the clear as there are less than eight matches remaining for each of them as the season draws to a close.Civics has 33 points, Ramblers 30 and Oshakati City sit on 29.The race is not over and Civics are not at all guaranteed of the title, despite having two matches in hand.Civics have played 15 matches, while Ramblers stand on 17, with City on 16.At the base, Friends have only 13 points, Golden Bees a position above them with 15, while Blue Waters are also on the same score (15), but with two matches in hand.It will be a rocky road for especially the bottom five clubs as all have not yet passed the 20-point mark in their matches.In the last two seasons which saw Civics lifting the title, a huge gap existed between them and the second closest team, but this time around, Ramblers and Oshakati City have been keeping up well with them.Civics are meeting SKW at the Independence Stadium on Saturday, but they will not be assured of a victory, despite SKW being beaten 2-1 in their last competitive match against African Stars in the MTC Cup quarter-finals.There will also be no room for complacency when Ramblers travel to Walvis Bay to meet Eleven Arrows, whom they beat 4-0 in the MTC Cup quarters in Oshakati.Eleven Arrows will surely go out to revenge that defeat, but their efforts in obtaining a win will be aided by a supportive crowd and a real sense of making use of their opportunities.Ramblers, which currently consist of some of the most experienced and skilful players in the league, have the task to maintain the momentum to avoid Civics slipping away on points.Ramblers coaches Tollie van Wyk and Dave Fransman will be the most disappointed officials in the domestic game if their team fails to land the league title this year.They have quality players and their management with Harald Hecht as the head has been superb and supportive.They also have a new sponsor in Kingsley, a soft-drinks company that intends to pump in millions, provided the team wins both the league championship and the MTC Cup.Ramblers are already in the semi-finals of the MTC Cup and are set to meet Orlando Pirates at the end of this month when the matches will be played at Walvis Bay’s Kuisebmond Stadium.Oshakati City, which traditionally linger in the last half of the table during this time of the season, have played brilliant football and their efforts in building a team for the past three years have paid off.Oshakati City’s inspirational captain and striker Cascas Angula has not yet lost his appetite for scoring goals, with most coming from his trademark headers inside the box.Angula, also a former Brave Warriors attacker, last weekend achieved a major milestone as he led the Oshana Regional team which eventually won the prestigious The Namibian Newspaper Cup at Keetmanshoop.The striker told The Namibian Sport at the weekend that he was still knocking at the Brave Warriors’ door and was hoping that coach Ben Bamfuchile will keep a close eye on him to see what he does best – score goals.Friends, who made their way back into the league this season after being relegated during the 2005 season, might make their way back into the first division.The side has been a dominant force on their home ground in Rehoboth, but has failed repeatedly to win matches away from home.Their strikers have been woeful as they have only scored 15 goals in 15 matches, while they have conceded 35.Blue Waters, a powerhouse in Namibian football, had a disastrous campaign to the title this season and now find themselves third from the bottom, with coach Shepherd Murape these days visibly looking clueless on why the team is faring so poorly.Murape earlier ruled out relegation, saying that the side was young and will be looking forward to only next season.The Blue Waters strike force led by Armando Pedro has also been firing blanks and has so far only accumulated 16 goals from their 15 matches, a pathetic record for such a reputable side.Blue Waters meet Tigers at their home ground on Saturday, before taking on Ramblers on Sunday, matches that can put them in further danger if they lose.Friends, Golden Bees and Blue Waters are at the bottom of the table and their matches this weekend will be crucial to get them into the clear as there are less than eight matches remaining for each of them as the season draws to a close.Civics has 33 points, Ramblers 30 and Oshakati City sit on 29.The race is not over and Civics are not at all guaranteed of the title, despite having two matches in hand.Civics have played 15 matches, while Ramblers stand on 17, with City on 16.At the base, Friends have only 13 points, Golden Bees a position above them with 15, while Blue Waters are also on the same score (15), but with two matches in hand.It will be a rocky road for especially the bottom five clubs as all have not yet passed the 20-point mark in their matches.In the last two seasons which saw Civics lifting the title, a huge gap existed between them and the second closest team, but this time around, Ramblers and Oshakati City have been keeping up well with them.Civics are meeting SKW at the Independence Stadium on Saturday, but they will not be assured of a victory, despite SKW being beaten 2-1 in their last competitive match against African Stars in the MTC Cup quarter-finals.There will also be no room for complacency when Ramblers travel to Walvis Bay to meet Eleven Arrows, whom they beat 4-0 in the MTC Cup quarters in Oshakati.Eleven Arrows will surely go out to revenge that defeat, but their efforts in obtaining a win will be aided by a supportive crowd and a real sense of making use of their opportunities.Ramblers, which currently consist of some of the most experienced and skilful players in the league, have the task to maintain the momentum to avoid Civics slipping away on points.Ramblers coaches Tollie van Wyk and Dave Fransman will be the most disappointed officials in the domestic game if their team fails to land the league title this year.They have quality players and their management with Harald Hecht as the head has been superb and supportive.They also have a new sponsor in Kingsley, a soft-drinks company that intends to pump in millions, provided the team wins both the league championship and the MTC Cup.Ramblers are already in the semi-finals of the MTC Cup and are set to meet Orlando Pirates at the end of this month when the matches will be played at Walvis Bay’s Kuisebmond Stadium.Oshakati City, which traditionally linger in the last half of the table during this time of the season, have played brilliant football and their efforts in building a team for the past three years have paid off.Oshakati City’s inspirational captain and striker Cascas Angula has not yet lost his appetite for scoring goals, with most coming from his trademark headers inside the box.Angula, also a former Brave Warriors attacker, last weekend achieved a major milestone as he led the Oshana Regional team which eventually won the prestigious The Namibian Newspaper Cup at Keetmanshoop.The striker told The Namibian Sport at the weekend that he was still knocking at the Brave Warriors’ door and was hoping that coach Ben Bamfuchile will keep a close eye on him to see what he does best – score goals.Friends, who made their way back into the league this season after being relegated during the 2005 season, might make their way back into the first division.The side has been a dominant force on their home ground in Rehoboth, but has failed repeatedly to win matches away from home.Their strikers have been woeful as they have only scored 15 goals in 15 matches, while they have conceded 35.Blue Waters, a powerhouse in Namibian football, had a disastrous campaign to the title this season and now find themselves third from the bottom, with coach Shepherd Murape these days visibly looking clueless on why the team is faring so poorly.Murape earlier ruled out relegation, saying that the side was young and will be looking forward to only next season.The Blue Waters strike force led by Armando Pedro has also been firing blanks and has so far only accumulated 16 goals from their 15 matches, a pathetic record for such a reputable side.Blue Waters meet Tigers at their home ground on Saturday, before taking on Ramblers on Sunday, matches that can put them in further danger if they lose.