Jostling for early supremacy 

The Namibia Premier Football League has shown continual changes at the top of the log since the league got underway a month ago. 

After seven rounds of matches the lead has consistently changed with a new leader emerging each weekend. 

Defending champions African Stars took the early lead after winning their first three matches, but were replaced by Mighty Gunners, who beat Stars 2-1 at Otjiwarongo on 8 November. 

A week later though, KK Palace swept to the top of the log on 16 points after beating Gunners and Life Fighters away, while Stars and Gunners are now second and third – two and three points behind, respectively. 

Last weekend KK Palace got maximum points away against Mighty Gunners (1-0) and Life Fighters (3-0), and their coach Anderson Phiri said he is not surprised by their early ascendancy

“We are in the same league and competing like everyone else. It’s just about hard work that pays off, which has led us to this, so I’m not surprised,” he said. 

“Each match is very serious and we are not underestimating anyone. The champion will only be crowned at the end of the season, so now it’s just about putting the hard work in and I know that they will come well prepared,” he added.

Phiri said it’s still early days, but added that they are title contenders this season. 

“Yes, we can get there, but it’s still a long way to go, we still have to play 23 matches. We just have to remain focussed and disciplined and maintain the momentum and win games one at a time,” he said. 

KK Palace’s recent prominence has coincided with grants that they received from the corporate world this week.

On Tuesday, the Ondangwa Town Council pledged N$350 000 to their campaign after their impressive start, while Star Comets Trading CC pledged N$50 000 to their cause. 

Phiri said it was a big boost for the team. 

“It’s a great morale booster for us, and it shows that we are being recognised,” he said. 

This weekend KK Palace face two tough home matches against Unam and FC Ongos, who are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the league. 

Unam have made a strong start under coach Robert Nauseb with three wins and four draws and are joint third with Gunners, three points off the pace. 

FC Ongos just recently acquired Ronnie Kanalelo’s services and he started off with draws against Rundu Chiefs and Julinho Athletic to maintain their unbeaten status. They have, however, only won one match and drawn five, and are eight points off the pace in ninth position. 

African Stars, meanwhile, take on Bucks Buccaneers at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium tonight, and Okahandja United at Nau-Aib Stadium on Sunday. Although they are both home games for Stars, they continue to spread their home matches around the country, to push their brand and take the game to their fans. They previously played Rundu Chiefs and Julinho Athletic at Omulunga Stadium in Grootfontein. 

Bucks Buccaneers are still without a new head coach following Ronnie Kanalelo’s departure, but caretaker coach Jaanda Ngozu guided them to a 2-1 win against Tigers on Sunday to put them up to sixth position on 10 points. 

Khomas Nampol who are eighth on the log also face Buccaneers and Okahandja, with both their matches at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium. 

Third-placed Mighty Gunners and Life Fighters who are second last on the log will host the coastal teams, Blue Waters and Eleven Arrows at Otjiwarongo’s Mokati Stadium, while Unam and FC Ongos face tough encounters against Eeshoke Chula Chula at Oshakati Independence Stadium. 

Young African (eighth on the log) and Tigers who are third from bottom, host Rundu Chiefs and Julinho Athletic, who both picked up a point in last weekend’s visit to the capital. 

Rundu Chiefs made a great comeback to draw 2-2 with FC Ongos, after trailing 2-0 at halftime, while Julinho managed to hold FC Ongos to a goalless draw. 

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