Lull in Premier League

ONLY five matches will be played in the MTC Namibia Premier League this weekend. Five other encounters are on hold because players are doing national duty in South Africa. Teams such as Black Africa, Blue Waters, Eleven Arrows and Orlando Pirates have more than three players in the under-20 national team that will compete in the Vodacom Cosafa Youth Cup in Durban from tomorrow.

This weekend, Touch & Go, Civics, Oshakati City and Chief Santos will play two matches each, while Ramblers and African Stars will play only once. African Stars played one of their matches on Wednesday, drawing 1-1 against Tigers at the Independence Stadium.One of the most entertaining encounters will be the clash between Chief Santos and Civics, which will take place at the Oscar Norich Stadium in Tsumeb on Sunday.Civics have slipped into third spot with seven points after a good start of two wins and later a draw, that saw Tigers and Orlando Pirates eclipsing them in first and second place respectively.Santos have struggled considerably and so far have no win, two draws and one loss.This time, Santos are expected to face an uphill battle despite having home-ground advantage.Although pulling 1-1 draws against African Stars and Black Africa last weekend, the northern side have not settled well into the league, with their strikers still firing blanks.CIVICS IN FINE FORM Civics have proved to be a well-oiled machine since the beginning of the season, with especially their strike force doing the job for them.Civics strikers have scored 10 goals, with Pirates having hit the net more regularly with 14.In fact, Civics have no choice but to pick up maximum points as their opponents have not proven themselves to be winner material so far.Civics will face Oshakati City on Saturday.Touch & Go caused an upset against SKW last weekend to record their first victory, but their ties against Chief Santos and Oshakati City might prove different this time.Touch & Go has so far conceded 15 goals in only three matches, while Black Africa is the only team with a clean slate.The Cup Kings BA can thank their reliable goalie Ephraim Tjihonge for his robust performance match after match.Tjihongehas left for South Africa with the under-20 side after replacing the favoured Maxmillian Mbaeva, who did not recover well from a knee injury.Oshakati City is in mid-table and their biggest win was possibly the 2-0 victory against Chief Santos in the opening match of the league.City now faces Touch & Go on Sunday, a match which should swing in their favour, provided Timoteus Ipinge shows the desire to score.TIGERS IN COMMAND Tigers maintain the top spot in the league with 10 points after three wins and a draw, while African Stars added only one point after a fourth consecutive draw since the start of the league.Stars now stand on four points.The mid-week match was largely dominated by Tigers, which tormented the Stars defence, but failed to score.The half-time score was 1-1, with goals coming from Trywell Kaira for Tigers and Pat Uanivi for Stars.Stars struggled considerably in the second half with Tigers strikers shooting at least six definite goals off target.Tigers failed to beat Stars, which were one man down and repeatedly saw their defenders playing in reverse mode.Stars go up against Ramblers on Sunday and their drawing streak might be brought to an end, judging from the way the side appeared to be out of sorts on Wednesday.Stars veteran defender Mali Ngarizemo came to the rescue of the team many times, while midfielder Charles Hindjou gave a lot of possession away in the Tigers match.Ramblers coach Tollie van Wyk would want to capitalise on Stars after only winning one match, while they have lost two so far.African Stars played one of their matches on Wednesday, drawing 1-1 against Tigers at the Independence Stadium.One of the most entertaining encounters will be the clash between Chief Santos and Civics, which will take place at the Oscar Norich Stadium in Tsumeb on Sunday.Civics have slipped into third spot with seven points after a good start of two wins and later a draw, that saw Tigers and Orlando Pirates eclipsing them in first and second place respectively.Santos have struggled considerably and so far have no win, two draws and one loss.This time, Santos are expected to face an uphill battle despite having home-ground advantage.Although pulling 1-1 draws against African Stars and Black Africa last weekend, the northern side have not settled well into the league, with their strikers still firing blanks.CIVICS IN FINE FORM Civics have proved to be a well-oiled machine since the beginning of the season, with especially their strike force doing the job for them.Civics strikers have scored 10 goals, with Pirates having hit the net more regularly with 14.In fact, Civics have no choice but to pick up maximum points as their opponents have not proven themselves to be winner material so far.Civics will face Oshakati City on Saturday.Touch & Go caused an upset against SKW last weekend to record their first victory, but their ties against Chief Santos and Oshakati City might prove different this time.Touch & Go has so far conceded 15 goals in only three matches, while Black Africa is the only team with a clean slate.The Cup Kings BA can thank their reliable goalie Ephraim Tjihonge for his robust performance match after match.Tjihongehas left for South Africa with the under-20 side after replacing the favoured Maxmillian Mbaeva, who did not recover well from a knee injury.Oshakati City is in mid-table and their biggest win was possibly the 2-0 victory against Chief Santos in the opening match of the league.City now faces Touch & Go on Sunday, a match which should swing in their favour, provided Timoteus Ipinge shows the desire to score.TIGERS IN COMMAND Tigers maintain the top spot in the league with 10 points after three wins and a draw, while African Stars added only one point after a fourth consecutive draw since the start of the league.Stars now stand on four points.The mid-week match was largely dominated by Tigers, which tormented the Stars defence, but failed to score.The half-time score was 1-1, with goals coming from Trywell Kaira for Tigers and Pat Uanivi for Stars.Stars struggled considerably in the second half with Tigers strikers shooting at least six definite goals off target.Tigers failed to beat Stars, which were one man down and repeatedly saw their defenders playing in reverse mode.Stars go up against Ramblers on Sunday and their drawing streak might be brought to an end, judging from the way the side appeared to be out of sorts on Wednesday.Stars veteran defender Mali Ngarizemo came to the rescue of the team many times, while midfielder Charles Hindjou gave a lot of possession away in the Tigers match.Ramblers coach Tollie van Wyk would want to capitalise on Stars after only winning one match, while they have lost two so far.