National football First Division drama rolls on

THE cash-strapped NPL Northern Stream First Division finally resumed with its programme this past weekend while the Southern Stream is yet to be concluded.

Following weeks of inactivity attributed to a lack of funding and internal administrative conflict, the Northern Stream league restarted as the teams strive for promotion to the Namibia Premier League (NPL). Coastal outfit Blue Boys FC have already booked their place in the top domestic league next season, after rallying at home to overturn a first-leg loss to Fedics United of Keetmanshoop in their Southern Stream final playoff. Tura Magic FC and Friends FC had their scheduled Southern Stream third- and fourth-place playoff first-leg match postponed for the second week running. According to NPL league co-ordinator Mervin Geiriseb, the game did not take place because of a lack of funds for the teams. Geiriseb said the playoff couldn’t take place until there was money to host it.’The game must be played as soon as the money issue is sorted out,’ he said. However, and because of the postponement, the two sides had suggested that they split the prize money and do away with the inconclusive fixture altogether, said Geiriseb. The third-placed team is supposed to get N$8 000 with N$5 000 going to the team finishing fourth.’We cannot do that. It looks very unprofessional. Who will finish third and who is fourth if we do that?’The game will be played in order for the league to conclude,’ he said. The Northern Stream teams still have an outstanding N$12 000 due to them for the remainder of the season, as Geiriseb added that the N$4 000 they received last Friday would be sufficient to cover another round of fixtures this weekend. The league’s administrator, Bennet Munango, said last week that some matches would have to be played midweek in order for the league programme to be completed by mid-July.Despite losing both their games, 4-1 against Onambula United on Saturday and 1-0 to Epupa 11 Stars on Sunday, Robber Chanties are three points clear of second-placed Mighty Gunners, who routed Bingo FC 6-1 on Saturday before going down 1-3 to Cuca Tops the following day. At the other end of the thirteen-team division are Tropical Heat, Bingo FC and rock-bottom Eleven Brothers, who had mixed results over the weekend.Northern Stream First Division complete results are as follows:Saturday, June 5: Tropical Heat 0-3 Touch & Go; Rundu Chiefs 1-2 Chief Santos; Epupa 11 Stars 2-1 Golden Bees; Onambula United 4-1 Robber Chanties; Eleven Brothers 1-4 Cuca Tops; Mighty Gunners 6-1 Bingo. Sunday, June 5: Rundu Chiefs 2-0 Touch & Go; Tropical Heat 0-1 Chief Santos; Onambula United 0-0 Golden Bees; Epupa 11 Stars 1-0 Robber Chanties; Eleven Brothers 2-1 Bingo; Mighty Gunners 1-3 Cuca Tops. sheefeni@namibian.com.na