Pienaar tames Tigers, African Stars impress

ORLANDO Pirates marauding centre-back Michael Pienaar was the hero as his side secured a 2-1 victory over ten-man Tigers on Friday.

Despite going a goal down into the break, Pirates, who struggled during the first period, rallied in the second half to register the morale-boosting win and condemn Tigers to their second successive league defeat. Ananias Gebhardt gave Tigers an early lead with a sweet strike from just outside the penalty area, however his joy was short-lived. The lively forward was shown a straight red card for accidentally landing on Ivan Makina’s head just before halftime. Tigers almost doubled their lead when striker Pineas Jacob’s shot from an acute angle hit the top of the post, as Pirates struggled to create clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities. Pirates however came out firing on all cylinders in the second half. Their pressure paid of when Tigers goalkeeper Charles Uirab failed to gather a tame shot from Engelhardt Kahua on 70 minutes which brought Pirates level. Soon after, Pienaar – who had been continuously making lung-busting forages upfront – chested down a cross and calmly slotted the ball over an onrushing Uirab for the winner. Pirates are now seventh while Tigers dropped to ninth on the Namibia Premier League (NPL) log standings. Defending league champions African Stars outclassed eight-placed Oshakati City 2-0 on Saturday to move into fifth position. Two first-half goals from striker Ikuaterua Tjozongoro and winger Edwin Korukuve meant Stars got their second win of the season. Log leaders Ramblers maintained their three-point lead with a 2-1 defeat of Mighty Gunners thanks to Namibia Under-23 internationals Emilio Martin and Sydney Urikhob. Harold Ochurub got the goal for the visitors, who are second from bottom. Hendrik Somaeb ensured Blue Waters remained second as he scored the only goal to beat Civics who dropped down to sixth. Black Africa now occupy third spot, following their 1-0 victory over third-bottom Eleven Arrows. BA Midfielder Marco Van Wyk scored the goal. Alfred Ndjenge and Gustav Isaack were on target as bottom side Blue Boys lost 2-0 at home to SKW, who occupy fourth. sheefeni@namibian.com.na

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