Down to the wire as Stars, Chula Chula aim for glory 

The Namibia Premier Football League title race goes down to the wire this weekend with African Stars or Eeshoke Chula Chula due to be crowned champions. 

With two rounds of matches remaining the defending champions Stars lead Chula Chula by one point, with the result that their fate will be in their own hands. If they pick up maximum points against Unam tomorrow and FC Ongos on Sunday, they will be crowned champions, and even if they drop some points they still hold the initiative. 

Chula Chula, meanwhile, host Okahandja United and Bucks Buccaneers in their final two matches at the Oshakati Independence Stadium and will need to be at their best, while hoping that Stars slip up, if they hope to win their first-ever league title. 

Despite being a point behind on the log, Chula Chula coach John Sikerete believes that the pressure will be on African Stars. 

“First of all it’s not up to me anymore, it’s in the hands of both teams, and whoever is going to slip up, the other one will take that opportunity. Whatever happens, we’ve had a very good season, and we wont be under pressure, I think the pressure will be on Stars. They are the defending champions, they’ve been there many times so the pressure will be on them,” he said. 

“We are just taking it game by game, we are aiming for maximum points and if Stars slip up it will be in our favour,” he added. 

Whatever happens, Chula Chula can be assured of a full house at the Oshakati Independence Stadium and Sikerete said their fan base has been crucial in their success this season. 

“I expect a full house – our fans have been with the team through thick and thin, even during the transition period that we went through after losing so many players. They were always positive, they picked the players up and that support has brought us this far – they are always there and they will stand with us until the last match,” he added. 

It has been a remarkable season for Chula Chula and Sikerete, who also received national recognition by being called up to Brave Warriors’ coaching staff. Having lost most of Chula Chula’s star players to other clubs, like Moses Shidulo, Alfeus Leevi, Lawrence Doeseb, Penda Mongudhi and Marcellino George, Sikerete built a new team that has now emerged as title contenders. Some of them have also been called up to the national squad like midfielder Festus Petrus and striker Michael Jonas, who is also amongst the front runners for the top goal scorer of the season award. 

African Stars, meanwhile, are aiming to make history by winning a fourth successive title to join Black Africa who achieved that feat between 2011 and 2014, as the only four-peat winners. 

They lost coach Bob Mafoso midway through the season when he joined Lesotho’s national squad, but assistant coach Agnus Elemu has stepped up to the hot seat and despite a few hiccups, has maintained their title charge. 

When they suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Rundu Chiefs on 15 February, Chula Chula went to the top of the log, but Stars reclaimed the top spot when they beat Okahandja United 3-1 on 15 March, and they have held it since. 

With a star-studded squad at their disposal, including the likes of Charles Hambira, Vitapi Ngaruka, Thabang Malane, Vevengapi Mbuende, Wendell Rudath, their talisman Awilo Stephanus and their evergreen captain Ronald Ketjijere, the ball is now in Stars’ court as they aim to make history. 

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