Civics gain ground

Defending champions Civics gained ground on the leaders in the MTC Namibia Premier League after an emphatic 3-1 victory against Ramblers on Friday evening.

The victory sees Civics moving up to fourth position on 14 points – three points behind leaders Cymot SKW, who drew 2-all against African Stars last Wednesday. Ramblers remain second on 16 points, while Eleven Arrows move up to third position after beating Black Africa 3-1 in Walvis Bay on Saturday evening.Ramblers had a great opportunity to move clear at the top of the log, but were totally outplayed by Civics who were more determined from the start.Civics striker William Chilufya opened the scoring early on when he beat Luther Kanalelo to a high ball in Ramblers’ penalty area to score from close range.Tugela Tuyeni made it 2-0 shortly after the break with a cracking 30m shot, but Nelson Akwenye pulled one back for Ramblers with a fine strike of his own.Civics however made sure of the victory when they were gifted a third goal after a defensive mix-up by Ramblers.Defender Luther Kanalelo headed the ball back to keeper Bullet Kanyemba, but he failed to catch it after an awkward bounce and the ball rolled over the goal line.Besides Akwenye’s goal, Ramblers had several other chances which they failed to convert.Raymond Awaseb rattled the crossbar early on, while Akwenye put in some strong runs into Civics’ box but could not round them off.Civics’ manager Paul Stramis was delighted with the victory.”Our players were highly motivated for the match and determined to win.I thought Brian Gurirab and Jerry Matik were excellent in defence, while Jamu Ngatjizeko and Victor Helu played hard in midfield.Our game plan was slightly disrupted when Brian Brendell had to be replaced early on due to a hamstring injury, but the guys kept their cool and everything went well,” he said.ARROWS GAIN REVENGE In Walvis Bay, Eleven Arrows outplayed Black Africa with a comprehensive 3-1 victory.Striker Henry Somseb gave them an early lead after chipping in a cross by Charlie Aoseb.Aoseb made it 2-0 with a fine strike from the right wing, while Somseb pounced onto a defensive error to put Arrows 3-0 up.In the final minutes Black Africa pulled a goal back from the penalty spot.Arrows’ coach Lucky Shipanga said they were determined to beat Black Africa after losing to them in the FNB Cup semifinals in November last year.”We didn’t play well in the FNB Cup and gave that game away.We were determined to beat them at home and this was a crucial result for us because now we are amongst the leaders.We are the underdogs and no one is giving us a chance, but our objective is to compete for the title,” he said.Orlando Pirates eased their relegation fears with a convincing 1-0 victory against Blue Waters at the Khomasdal field on Saturday evening.Celestine Wasserfall scored the winning goal midway through the second half after latching on to a great throughball to beat Charles Uirab from close range.With Wasserfall, Klaas Blom and Riaan Cloete combining well, Pirates had several more chances, but were denied further goals after some great saves by Uirab.But Blue Waters had few chances of their own and the defeat means that they are now in real trouble with only four points after nine matches and staring relegation in the face.In Otjiwarongo, Mighty Gunners were held to a 0-0 draw by Oshakati City, while Tigers picked up a valuable away win, beating Fedics 2-1 in Keetmanshoop.Ramblers remain second on 16 points, while Eleven Arrows move up to third position after beating Black Africa 3-1 in Walvis Bay on Saturday evening.Ramblers had a great opportunity to move clear at the top of the log, but were totally outplayed by Civics who were more determined from the start.Civics striker William Chilufya opened the scoring early on when he beat Luther Kanalelo to a high ball in Ramblers’ penalty area to score from close range.Tugela Tuyeni made it 2-0 shortly after the break with a cracking 30m shot, but Nelson Akwenye pulled one back for Ramblers with a fine strike of his own.Civics however made sure of the victory when they were gifted a third goal after a defensive mix-up by Ramblers.Defender Luther Kanalelo headed the ball back to keeper Bullet Kanyemba, but he failed to catch it after an awkward bounce and the ball rolled over the goal line.Besides Akwenye’s goal, Ramblers had several other chances which they failed to convert.Raymond Awaseb rattled the crossbar early on, while Akwenye put in some strong runs into Civics’ box but could not round them off.Civics’ manager Paul Stramis was delighted with the victory.”Our players were highly motivated for the match and determined to win.I thought Brian Gurirab and Jerry Matik were excellent in defence, while Jamu Ngatjizeko and Victor Helu played hard in midfield.Our game plan was slightly disrupted when Brian Brendell had to be replaced early on due to a hamstring injury, but the guys kept their cool and everything went well,” he said. ARROWS GAIN REVENGE In Walvis Bay, Eleven Arrows outplayed Black Africa with a comprehensive 3-1 victory.Striker Henry Somseb gave them an early lead after chipping in a cross by Charlie Aoseb.Aoseb made it 2-0 with a fine strike from the right wing, while Somseb pounced onto a defensive error to put Arrows 3-0 up.In the final minutes Black Africa pulled a goal back from the penalty spot.Arrows’ coach Lucky Shipanga said they were determined to beat Black Africa after losing to them in the FNB Cup semifinals in November last year.”We didn’t play well in the FNB Cup and gave that game away.We were determined to beat them at home and this was a crucial result for us because now we are amongst the leaders.We are the underdogs and no one is giving us a chance, but our objective is to compete for the title,” he said.Orlando Pirates eased their relegation fears with a convincing 1-0 victory against Blue Waters at the Khomasdal field on Saturday evening.Celestine Wasserfall scored the winning goal midway through the second half after latching on to a great throughball to beat Charles Uirab from close range.With Wasserfall, Klaas Blom and Riaan Cloete combining well, Pirates had several more chances, but were denied further goals after some great saves by Uirab.But Blue Waters had few chances of their own and the defeat means that they are now in real trouble with only four points after nine matches and staring relegation in the face.In Otjiwarongo, Mighty Gunners were held to a 0-0 draw by Oshakati City, while Tigers picked up a valuable away win, beating Fedics 2-1 in Keetmanshoop.