Pirates, BA need to capitalise

ORLANDO Pirates and Black Africa will have to dig deep to emerge as winners in their respective quarter-final ties as the MTC NFA Cup goes to Oshakati’s Independence Stadium this weekend.

The two Namibia Premier League powerhouses are pitted against lower division sides, but their entry into the semi-finals will not be easy. African Stars have a date against Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW), while Ramblers meet Eleven Arrows in matches that can go either way.Pirates are coming from a 4-2 win against Tigers in a midweek match, a result that can possibly spur them on to finish off Eleven Brothers, while Black Africa would want to up their game as they were beaten 1-0 by Ramblers in a midweek premiership match at Independence Stadium in Windhoek.Both Pirates and BA will go into their matches as favourites, but as customary in cup competitions, know one knows what the outcome will be until the final whistle.BA especially have to dig deeper, as they are struggling to find the net, despite having the tricky Jerome Louis upfront.The BA defence has been lukewarm and concede goals as they are caught on counter-attacks, but have been saved by the experienced former Brave Warriors goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo, who uses his big frame as a perfect shot stopper.Pirates were thumped 2-1 by Ramblers last weekend, a result which did not go down well with their coach Ali Akan, who blamed the referee for the loss.This time, Pirates, coming from their win against Tigers, will have no excuse not to eliminate Eleven Brothers from the tournament, while BA have the same chance to return to their winning ways after losing 2-0 to Tigers last weekend.The match of day will see Ramblers, who have been in terrific form of late, taking on an Eleven Arrows side that is determined to reach the final stages.Ramblers have been in commanding form and their striker Bradley ‘Asprilla’ Wermann is the man to watch.The young striker is skilful and has a great ability to dribble around his defenders, while he can also shoot from range.Costa Khaiseb will be Wermann’s striking partner, but the former Black Leopards goal-hunter still has to show his form as he currently appears unfit.Captain Michael Pienaar will be expected to lead from the front for Ramblers, while Victor Helu in midfield, Erastus Ndjavera in defence and Ninja Karongee are all worthy customers to see their team through.Arrows on their part will have no fear for the Windhoek side as coach Lucky Shipanga has made great strides in instilling a winning mentality in the side.Arrows striker Robson Haitamba and midfielder Rudolph Bester will be the key men for their side on the day, but it will take a lot of effort from their goalkeeper, Vonk Tjihenuna or Dankie Hipundjua, to keep the Rammies strikers at bay.African Stars have a quality side and the return of Johannes Seibeb will beef up their midfield, while it will be a question of maintaining possession in that department.Stars defenders Mali Ngarizemo and Andrew Tjahikika, who have been knocking on the Brave Warriors door without any reply for some time now, will have another opportunity to impress Warriors coach Ben Bamfuchile.SKW recently saw the return of veteran players Rolf Beiter in midfield and Lucky Kakuva at the back.Their experience will come in handy, but their weight is a concern as they were recalled to the side from retirement, purely to rescue the team from relegation.The MTC Cup is the most lucrative domestic competition in the country and offers the teams handsome prizes, with the winner expected to walk away with a whopping N$350 000.The semi-finals will be held in Walvis Bay in April, while the final will be staged in Windhoek the following month.African Stars have a date against Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW), while Ramblers meet Eleven Arrows in matches that can go either way.Pirates are coming from a 4-2 win against Tigers in a midweek match, a result that can possibly spur them on to finish off Eleven Brothers, while Black Africa would want to up their game as they were beaten 1-0 by Ramblers in a midweek premiership match at Independence Stadium in Windhoek.Both Pirates and BA will go into their matches as favourites, but as customary in cup competitions, know one knows what the outcome will be until the final whistle.BA especially have to dig deeper, as they are struggling to find the net, despite having the tricky Jerome Louis upfront.The BA defence has been lukewarm and concede goals as they are caught on counter-attacks, but have been saved by the experienced former Brave Warriors goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo, who uses his big frame as a perfect shot stopper.Pirates were thumped 2-1 by Ramblers last weekend, a result which did not go down well with their coach Ali Akan, who blamed the referee for the loss.This time, Pirates, coming from their win against Tigers, will have no excuse not to eliminate Eleven Brothers from the tournament, while BA have the same chance to return to their winning ways after losing 2-0 to Tigers last weekend.The match of day will see Ramblers, who have been in terrific form of late, taking on an Eleven Arrows side that is determined to reach the final stages.Ramblers have been in commanding form and their striker Bradley ‘Asprilla’ Wermann is the man to watch.The young striker is skilful and has a great ability to dribble around his defenders, while he can also shoot from range.Costa Khaiseb will be Wermann’s striking partner, but the former Black Leopards goal-hunter still has to show his form as he currently appears unfit.Captain Michael Pienaar will be expected to lead from the front for Ramblers, while Victor Helu in midfield, Erastus Ndjavera in defence and Ninja Karongee are all worthy customers to see their team through.Arrows on their part will have no fear for the Windhoek side as coach Lucky Shipanga has made great strides in instilling a winning mentality in the side.Arrows striker Robson Haitamba and midfielder Rudolph Bester will be the key men for their side on the day, but it will take a lot of effort from their goalkeeper, Vonk Tjihenuna or Dankie Hipundjua, to keep the Rammies strikers at bay.African Stars have a quality side and the return of Johannes Seibeb will beef up their midfield, while it will be a question of maintaining possession in that department.Stars defenders Mali Ngarizemo and Andrew Tjahikika, who have been knocking on the Brave Warriors door without any reply for some time now, will have another opportunity to impress Warriors coach Ben Bamfuchile.SKW recently saw the return of veteran players Rolf Beiter in midfield and Lucky Kakuva at the back.Their experience will come in handy, but their weight is a concern as they were recalled to the side from retirement, purely to rescue the team from relegation.The MTC Cup is the most lucrative domestic competition in the country and offers the teams handsome prizes, with the winner expected to walk away with a whopping N$350 000.The semi-finals will be held in Walvis Bay in April, while the final will be staged in Windhoek the following month.