It’s make or break in title race

It’s make or break in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership title race when the penultimate rounds of the league take place this weekend.

With only three rounds remaining for the season, defending champions African Stars lead the log on 57 points, but Ongos (on 56 points) and Nampol (55) are right behind, snapping at their heels and with all three teams playing two matches over the weekend, the title race could well be decided come Sunday. 

The action kicks off at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium tonight when Khomas Nampol take on Tigers at 18h00, to be followed by Ongos against Pirates at 20h30.

Nampol have had a great debut season in the premiership, exceeding their wildest dreams and are determined to finish on a high note according to coach Fortune Eichab. 

“We are ready and looking forward to the match. We were not in action last weekend so we’ve had ample time to rest and prepare. We also watched Tigers’ matches last weekend, so we have studied them and are well prepared for the match,” he said. 

“As things stand we are at least assured of winning a gold, silver or bronze medal. I am excited and grateful for this opportunity, I didn’t think it would happen, but now we find ourselves fighting for the title. We were not targetting the league title, but if the other contenders don’t want to win it, who are we to refuse it?” he added. 

Eichab said they had reassessed their goals.

“We have set ourselves some new targets – we want to reach at least 60 points, we want to score 60 goals and Rewaldo (Prins) is also aiming for the golden boot award and is challenging Awilo in that regard,” he said. 

African Stars forward Awilo Stephanus is currently the leading goal scorer with 15 goals, but Prins is second on 13 and could still finish first. Nampol, meanwhile, have scored the second most goals in the league with 51 goals, just behind Stars on 52, and will need another nine goals in their remaining three matches to finish on 60. 

“We are calling it ‘Thirsty Thursday for Tigers’ and we want to reward our faithful fans, who always support us in midweek matches, with a great performance,” Eichab said. 

Nampol also face Civics on Sunday and Eichab said they are expecting a tough match. 

“Civics will be tricky because they are fighting to avoid relegation but we are ready and we want to end on a high note,” he said.

FC Ongos, meanwhile, face two huge matches starting against Orlando Pirates tonight and African Stars on Sunday. 

Their coach Agnus Elemu said they are just focussing on Pirates at this stage.

“The match against Pirates is going to be a very important game for us and we have worked hard for it. They are fighting relegation so we expect a tough battle, but we are aiming for a positive result,” he said. 

The big match, though, will be the showdown between Ongos and Stars on Sunday, and Elemu said they are approaching it with caution. 

“This is a fight, a journey where you have to pass through all the stations, you cannot jump one. If you want to win the league you have to beat the top teams so it’s not easy. Stars are the defending champions, they have been in this situation before, but we will play our own game and be cautious, because any mistake could decide the outcome,” he said. 

Stars also face Young African at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium tomorrow night.

Pirates, meanwhile, are second last on the log on 22 points and deep in the relegation zone. They also face Young African at Gobabis on Sunday, and then a tough final match against Stars next weekend, so they will be fighting for survival.

With Life Fighters (19 points), Julinho (22), Okakarara Young Warriors (23), and even Civics (28) still in the relegation dog fight, Pirates will need to collect some points if they are to avoid the same fate that befell their illustrious rivals, Black Africa, who were relegated last season.