NPL summit march on

PREMIERSHIP giants African Stars and Orlando Pirates will go into a titanic clash for supremacy as they steadily march towards the top of the table this weekend.

In fact, both sides are sitting on 16 points and wins could favour them to possibly be in the driving seat after the weekend’s matches, which also involve the other teams. The drama is set to unfold at the Independence Stadium at 20h00 tonight in a match that will be screened live by NBC and One Africa Television according to a new deal signed by sponsors MTC and the Namibia Premier League (NPL). The Independence Stadium will provide the thousands of supporters of both teams ample space compared to the Khomasdal Stadium, which was not considered due to the magnitude of the match. Both teams have quality players to dish out on the day, but Stars will look sharper, judging from their eagerness to hit the target. Pirates have lost a playmaker in Riaan Cloete, who has since joined Premeiro de Agosto from Angola, and Klaas Blom, the only other brain in the centre of the park, has found it tough to adjust on the flank in midfield and coach Brian Isaacs has to come up with a remedy in midfield tonight. POWER DRIVES Pirates strikers Samson John, Frans de Muinda, Sidney Urikhob and Leandro da Cunha need to produce power drives towards the goal, otherwise the in-form Stars goalie Max Mbaeva will have a stroll between the sticks on the night. Mbaeva can especially rely on his rigid defence marshalled well by Kanu Kandorozu, who has made a welcome return to the side, and captain Andrew Tjahikika. There is no time to experiment for both coaches and as expected, Stars coach Bobby Samaria will field a strong side, as he has a mandate to either win the league or at least finish among the top three at the end of the season. Samaria did not shop for many players after his appointment this season, but his job has been made easier by a side that plays with commitment and a sense of purpose. African Stars have never looked this sharp in many years and they need to demonstrate that against Pirates tonight. Pirates have to count on their defence to keep in the match, but Isaacs, a well-known tactician, might possibly come up with something. ARROWS RETURN In other matches, Eleven Arrows return to Windhoek for their second consecutive weekend and the match can be tantalising in one of two games on Saturday in Windhoek. It is scheduled for 19h30 at the Khomasdal Stadium. Arrows will aim at continuing on their 4-1 drubbing of Ramblers last weekend, while Tigers will hope to build on their 2-0 win against Civics mid last week. Table toppers SKW takes on visiting Chief Santos at their home ground at 17h00, a match that SKW has to win to maintain the stranglehold at the top as they are seriously being chased down by four other sides who are aiming for wins this weekend. Black Africa will hold league struggler’s Mighty Gunners on Sunday at the Khomasdal Stadium at 17h00, a match they ought to sway into their favour considering the poor form of the visitors. Although Gunners recorded a draw against Santos two weeks ago, they wont find it easy to go past BA which now has Tollie van Wyk as their new coach, who by now has must have brought a fresh dimension into the side. Ramblers are travelling to the north to meet Oshakati City and they too have to put in a better performance if they need to stay in contention for the league title. Ramblers has the chance to pick up three points but have to be wary of the harsh conditions in the north. The match is slated for 17h00 at the Independence Stadium. corry@namibian.com.na