Futsal league hots up 

With non-stop action, dazzling skills and packed crowds, futsal is fast becoming a fan favourite sport in Namibia.

The NDTC Premier League is now in full swing and some enticing match-ups can be expected at the DTS Sport Arena this weekend, while Namibia’s top players will also be out to impress the selectors with some international friendlies coming up. 

In the match of the weekend, log leaders Chile FC take on Selecao of Swakopmund tomorrow afternoon. 

Chile have started like a house on fire, winning their first three matches in a row, scoring 22 goals in the process and only conceding three. 

They thrashed JAC Motors 15-0 in their opening match and followed that up by beating X Men 4-1 and Knights FC 3-2, to go to the top of the log on goal difference ahead of Quality and Ballers. 

In their last match against Knights, they conceded an early goal, but displayed maturity and experience to come from behind and win the match.

With national players like Bornface Siyanga, Wesley Otto and Remario Mathys all in great form, along with other upcoming stars like Jurgen van der Byl, Rolando Swartz and Stanley Paulse, Chile have laid down an early marker as serious challengers for the league title. 

Selecao, however, will provide them with their toughest challenge to date. The Swakopmund-based side has a big drawback due to the long distances they have to travel each weekend to Windhoek and back, but despite that they have been one of the top teams over the past few years. This season they already won the Ongos Valley Winter Cup in July, while they are just two points behind Chile in fourth place on the log. 

They beat Windhoek FC 7-2 and The Mavericks 2-0 before dropping their first points in a 4-4 draw against WIAS FC last weekend. 

Their exciting young forward Vilo Lawrence, however, was not available then, but he is back and they will be at full strength against Chile. 

They have a lot of experience in national players like goalie Cee Jay van Wyk, and midfielders Reginald Willemse and Elroi Drotsky, while their experienced captain Waldron Theron, Nigel Prins and Bobby Rutz have all been in fine form. It should be a humdinger with the match due to start at 12h00 tomorrow afternoon. 

The defending champions Quality FC are also unbeaten after three matches, just behind Chile on goal difference, and will start as the favourites when they take on 10th-placed Demia FC tonight.

They have a star-studded side led by captain Eddie Solunga and including national players like Riya Usurua, Ken Salote and Luis Solunga, while others like Ezio Chivas, Silvano Andre and Sebastiao Borges have also come to the fore. 

Last weekend they thumped Flying V 8-1 with Salote scoring four goals, and will be determined to regain the lead in the title race. 

Demia, however, should not be underestimated and could provide stiff resistance. They suffered two narrow 2-1 defeats against Boston Madrid and Ballers in their opening two matches before beating 7 Kings 6-5 last weekend, with Chindo Walubita scoring a brace. 

Third-placed Ballers, meanwhile, will fancy their chances when they take on 12th-placed Ineos FC tonight. 

Ballers have won all three their opening matches, and with national players like Rowen Jagger, George Haikali and Donald Modise in their midst, they will start as the favourites against Ineos, who have already conceded 13 goals in their opening three matches. 

Another interesting match-up will see fifth-placed EFG Patriots taking on sixth-placed Boston Madrid. 

Patriots, who narrowly lost out on the league title to Quality last season, have  several experienced players including national forward Silas Matheus, midfielder Greyeno Rusberg and former African Stars defender Treasure Kauapirura, and have made a fine comeback since losing their opening match 4-0 to Quality on 27 September. 

Since then they beat Flying V 7-1 and Ineos FC 7-0 and are now back in the title race, just three points behind the leaders. 

Boston Madrid are in their first season in the premier league after being promoted from the first division, but they have been holding their own so far in the top flight. 

They beat Demia 2-1 in their opening match and then thumped 7 Kings 7-1 with Romario van Wyk scoring a hattrick and national rugby player Lorenzo Louis a brace. Their team also includes Itamunua Keimuine and John Routh, who have both represented the Brave Warriors, and they should provide a stern test for Patriots.