Orlando pirates to face Civics

Orlando Pirates will play Civics in the second round of the MTC NFA Cup competition at Walvis Bay’s Kuisebmund Stadium on Sunday, March 30.

In probably the match of the second round, last season’s runners-up Pirates take on the league champions Civics and an explosive encounter can be expected. Both teams were in great form last weekend with Civics hammering Major Power 11-0, while Pirates beat Onambula United 5-0.Pirates have had a good run in the MTC NFA Cup winning the title in 2006 while they were runners-up last year, but Civics have struggled lately.The last time they won the title was in 2003 and their manager Paul Stramis said they were determined to win it this time.”At this stage of the competition there is no such thing as an easy draw, but at least we know Orlando Pirates well, we know their strengths and weaknesses and will know how to prepare for them.We haven’t won the title for quite a while and are determined to go all the way this year.Our president Helmuth Scharnowski, who is still in Germany, has sent instructions that we do our utmost to win the MTC NFA Cup this year, h he said.Lemmy Narib of Orlando Pirates said they were happy with the draw and looking forward to taking on Civics.”The draw means nothing.Whether you face a small or a big team, it doesn ft really matter because anything can happen on the day.But we are in good form and we will be ready for Civics, h he said.STARS TO MEET OSHAKATI Some interesting match-ups were made when the second round draw took place at Soccer House yesterday.The defending champions African Stars got a tough draw against Oshakati City, who were also in great form over the weekend.Their veteran striker Cascas Angula scored a hattrick in their 5-1 victory against Nexus Building Pubs, while Muna and Tara Katupose and Kleophas Dawid were all in great form.Stars also had a fine 3-1 victory against Golden Bees and with veteran striker Nico Andima and workaholic midfielder Ninja Karongee in great form, they too, will be confident of success.Ramblers face a tricky encounter against Mighty Gunners.Gunners were unlucky to lose 3-2 against Black Africa in a recent league match when they let in two late goals after leading 2-1.Last weekend they were in fine form, beating Kwico Rundu Chiefs 4-0 in the MTC NFA Cup first round.Last season they went all the way to the semifinals, becoming the first First Division side to do so and Ramblers will certainly not take them lightly.Black Africa face Eleven Arrows in an interesting encounter that could go either way.Black Africa beat Arrows 4-1 in the semifinals of the FNB Cup last December, but Arrows have had the upper hand in the league, winning their last match 3-1 in Walvis Bay.With their home ground advantage, they will be confident of repeating that feat again.The full fixtures for the MTC NFA Cup second round which will take place at the Kuisebmund Stadium are as follows: Saturday, March 29: 13h00: Fedics v Eleven Brothers 15h00: Tigers v Black Hawks 17h00: Hotspurs v Blue Waters 19h00: African Stars v Oshakati City Sunday, March 30: 11h00: Cymot SKW v Tough Guys 13h00: Ramblers v Mighty Gunners 15h00: Civics v Orlando Pirates 17h00: Black Africa v Eleven Arrows.www.namibiasport.com.naBoth teams were in great form last weekend with Civics hammering Major Power 11-0, while Pirates beat Onambula United 5-0.Pirates have had a good run in the MTC NFA Cup winning the title in 2006 while they were runners-up last year, but Civics have struggled lately.The last time they won the title was in 2003 and their manager Paul Stramis said they were determined to win it this time.”At this stage of the competition there is no such thing as an easy draw, but at least we know Orlando Pirates well, we know their strengths and weaknesses and will know how to prepare for them.We haven’t won the title for quite a while and are determined to go all the way this year.Our president Helmuth Scharnowski, who is still in Germany, has sent instructions that we do our utmost to win the MTC NFA Cup this year, h he said.Lemmy Narib of Orlando Pirates said they were happy with the draw and looking forward to taking on Civics.”The draw means nothing.Whether you face a small or a big team, it doesn ft really matter because anything can happen on the day.But we are in good form and we will be ready for Civics, h he said.STARS TO MEET OSHAKATI Some interesting match-ups were made when the second round draw took place at Soccer House yesterday.The defending champions African Stars got a tough draw against Oshakati City, who were also in great form over the weekend.Their veteran striker Cascas Angula scored a hattrick in their 5-1 victory against Nexus Building Pubs, while Muna and Tara Katupose and Kleophas Dawid were all in great form.Stars also had a fine 3-1 victory against Golden Bees and with veteran striker Nico Andima and workaholic midfielder Ninja Karongee in great form, they too, will be confident of success.Ramblers face a tricky encounter against Mighty Gunners.Gunners were unlucky to lose 3-2 against Black Africa in a recent league match when they let in two late goals after leading 2-1.Last weekend they were in fine form, beating Kwico Rundu Chiefs 4-0 in the MTC NFA Cup first round.Last season they went all the way to the semifinals, becoming the first First Division side to do so and Ramblers will certainly not take them lightly.Black Africa face Eleven Arrows in an interesting encounter that could go either way.Black Africa beat Arrows 4-1 in the semifinals of the FNB Cup last December, but Arrows have had the upper hand in the league, winning their last match 3-1 in Walvis Bay.With their home ground advantage, they will be confident of repeating that feat again.The full fixtures for the MTC NFA Cup second round which will take place at the Kuisebmund Stadium are as follows: Saturday, March 29: 13h00: Fedics v Eleven Brothers 15h00: Tigers v Black Hawks 17h00: Hotspurs v Blue Waters 19h00: African Stars v Oshakati City Sunday, March 30: 11h00: Cymot SKW v Tough Guys 13h00: Ramblers v Mighty Gunners 15h00: Civics v Orlando Pirates 17h00: Black Africa v Eleven Arrows.www.namibiasport.com.na