Debmarine Namibia Premiership leaders African Stars expect a tough clash against the fiercely supported Eeshoke Chula Chula at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium tomorrow, according to head coach Bob Mafoso.
He also anticipates a carnival atmosphere between Namibia’s two most supported club sides. The Basotho tactician says his charges need to be in top form to defeat Chula Chula tomorrow – and fellow northerners King Kauluma Palace on Sunday – to continue pushing for a third-consecutive NPFL crown.
One of those charges is free-scoring forward Mbakondja Tjahikika, who is enjoying a purple patch following a tweak in position, finding himself closer to goal in the last six matches.
Tjahikika, who leads the premiership in goals with 13 strikes in 23 matches, has taken on the goal-scoring baton from veteran attacker and teammate Wily Stephanus who topped the scoring charts for the past two seasons.
After netting a hat trick in the 4-1 win against Young Brazilians, he hopes to keep scoring and fire Stars to another title.
“The confidence is coming. My target was around 16 goals but with seven games to go, I think I can get to 20,” Mbakondja says of his ambition to maintain his scoring run.
Noticing Mbakondja’s eye for goal upon assuming the coaching reigns at Stars in early April, Mafoso encouraged the live wire to get into the opposition penalty box more, which has yielded the desired results.
“With Mbakondja as long as he keeps being in that box the chances will come. He got a hat trick because of that. He has missed a few chances but as long as he stays getting in there, he will score,” Mafoso said.
The title-chasing Stars are favourites to win their weekend’s matches, with an 11-point buffer over Chula Chula in seventh-place and five more over Palace in eighth.
However, Eeshoke Chula Chula have been a thorn in African Stars’ side since gaining promotion to the top-flight two seasons ago, living up to their Oshiwambo name which translates to ‘spiky thorns’.
They notably upstaged Stars twice to lift the now defunct eye-opening Dr Hage Geingob Cup. Not only have they denied Stars silverware, but Chula Chula’s supporters tend to dwarf the champions’ sizeable following when the clubs clash.
Stars, arguably the best supported club in the land for decades, appear to have found a formula to overcome their Chula Chula hoodoo, having won their last two league meetings.
Stars won 2-0 on the road the last time the two sides met in February, when they also defeated KK Palace 2-1.
“We have to do it for our fans. It would be nice to see a packed stadium,” said Mafoso, who recalls good-natured teasing that he would lose to Chula Chula upon arrival in Namibia.
“We’ll have to push for the points. I think it’s going to be a nice atmosphere where the two teams who are widely supported are going to play against each other.
“It’s not going to be easy but we’re going into that game with a bit of a confidence booster having collected six points over the weekend.”
Chula Chula and Palace also face second-placed Young African this weekend, with Mighty Gunners in third at home facing the relegation-battling Brazilians tomorrow and Khomas Nampol on Sunday.
Ongos, who hold fourth place, will look to revive their fading title aspirations wth victory at bottom side Cuca Tops and Julinho Sporting who hover just above the drop zone.
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