Premier League hotting up 

The title race is still wide open while the battle for survival intensifies ahead of this weekend’s Namibia Premier Football League matches. 

With two-thirds of the league completed, defending champions African Stars are well placed on to win their fourth title in a row.

Last weekend they collected maximum points after beating Miughty Gunners 1-0 despite being a man down for more than half of the match, and Life Fighters 3-0, to replace Chula Chula at the top of the log on goal difference, on 41 points. 

Chula Chula dropped two points in the title race after beating Blue Waters 2-0 and drawing 1-1 against Eleven Arrows, but they received a further blow when they were deducted three points after fielding an ineligible player against Julinho Athletic on 31 January. 

Chula Chula originally registered an important 3-2 away win in that match in Rundu on 31 January, but after their administrative blunder they have now dropped down to 38 points, giving Stars an important edge in the title race. 

In a letter issued by the league director Mabos Vries on Tuesday, Chula Chula were informed that they had been docked three points after fielding an ineligible player, Esenge Yanzambe, who had accumulated three consecutive yellow cards. 

Chula Chula’s management responded soon after by saying that it was a setback but calling for support of their fans. 

“As you may know, our team PST Eeshoke Chula Chula has recently faced a setback with the deduction of three points due to the alleged inclusion of a suspended player, Esenge Yanzambe. This decision comes as a disappointment, but we urge you to remain calm and steadfast as we navigate this situation together,” it said.

“Despite this challenge, we want to remind our unwavering supporters that no level of intimidation, distraction or confusion will deter our commitment to success. The journey has been forged through grace and hard work, not by luck or favouritism” it added. 

As luck would have it, Chula Chula are once again due to face Julinho Athletic this weekend on their home turf in Oshakati and they called on their supporters to come out in numbers.

“We invite you all to rally behind the team as we prepare for our upcoming matches against Julinho Athletic and Rundu Chiefs. Let’s fill the Oshakati Independence Stadium in numbers, showing our support and passion for ther game. Together we are stronger, and together we will rise,” it said. 

Julinho’s good fortune, meanwhile, was extended to the field of play as they collected a maximum six points on the road last weekend after beating both Okahandja United and Bucks Buccaneers 2-1. Along with their Chula Chula windfall, they have now collected nine points which saw them moving out of the relegation zone from 14th position up to tenth on 23 points.

That’s certainly a massive boost, but the relegation battle is still far from over. 

Life Fighters dropped to the bottom of the log on 14 points, after two defeats on the road last weekend, but they face another two tough home assignments against fourth placed FC Ongos (33 points) and fifth placed Unam (28 points) this weekend. 

Tigers, who were previously bottom of the log, have seen an upturn in fortunes after the recent appointment of Woody Jacobs as co-coach alongside Brian Isaacs. Last weekend they held both FC Ongos (0-0) and Unam (1-1) to draws, to move up to 15th position on 16 points, but they are still in deep trouble, now three points behind 14th placed Okahandja United.

This weekend Tigers face more tough assignments as they face sixth-placed Khomas Nampol tonight and log leaders African Stars on Sunday. 

Rundu Chiefs (20 points) and Blue Waters (21) are also in danger of the relegation axe, with both teams firing their coaches over the past week. 

Blue Waters fired Uerikondjera Kasaona and her assistant Steven Damaseb, replacing them with Armando Pedro and Thomas Emvula, while Rundu Chiefs, who fired Marcello Wakudumo, muist still announce a new coach. 

Blue Waters are on the road this weekend, facing Bucks Buccaneers in Windhoek tomorrow, and Okahandja United in Okahandja on Sunday, while Rundu Chiefs face the daunting prospect of taking on Chula Chula and KK Palace at the Oshakati Independence Stadium.

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