Premiership intensifies

THE chase for the premiership title intensified at the weekend with five teams now sitting on 10 points each, while upsets and riveting encounters also added to what could be an interesting season in domestic football.

Eleven Arrows shot up to first spot with ten points after their 1-0 win over rivals Blue Waters at the Kuisebmond Stadium, an unfamiliar position for the coastal side, while Ramblers are in second after their midweek 2-all draw against Orlando Pirates. Ramblers are also on ten points.Black Africa, who are in third, also with ten points, were thoroughly surprised as they went down 1-0 to Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) on Friday night.SKW are in fourth position, also with ten points, while Civics, who paid dearly for complacency in their encounter against Tigers, are in fifth spot.Civics were beaten 3-2 by Tigers after leading 2-0 at halftime in a highly charged encounter at the Independence Stadium on Friday night.Civics had to blame themselves for not picking up the three points as they had the better side on paper.African Stars thought they could walk away with a win on Saturday after a 1-0 lead for most of the match, but were bitterly disappointed when Kleophas Dawid of Oshakati City levelled matters in the 88th minute to force the match into a 1-all draw.Mighty Gunners were the superior side when they trounced fellow new premiership entrants Fedics United 3-0 at the Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo.The league has started off with teams such as Civics, Black Africa, Ramblers and Eleven Arrows all having occupied the first position in the last six matches that all the teams have played.There are still 16 matches to go for each team before the league comes to an end next year, but for now, all teams will be looking at doing well.The prize money for the league winners is N$500 000 and each of the 12 premiership sides will want to lay claim to it.Defending champions Civics seem to no longer have the firm grip as table toppers they had for the past three seasons, because all teams are capable enough to land the coveted title.The sides that have struggled so far are the two newcomers, Mighty Gunners and Fedics United, who still have to show their potential of surviving in the league.Blue Waters have been exposed badly because of their relatively inexperienced side.Arrows, African Stars, Oshakati City, Black Africa, Tigers and SKW are all on equal footing in terms of strength and their chances of aiming for the top five spots will be determined by how they can outwit their stronger opposition.The potential league winners because of their larger number of quality players are Civics, Ramblers and Orlando Pirates.Ramblers are also on ten points.Black Africa, who are in third, also with ten points, were thoroughly surprised as they went down 1-0 to Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) on Friday night.SKW are in fourth position, also with ten points, while Civics, who paid dearly for complacency in their encounter against Tigers, are in fifth spot.Civics were beaten 3-2 by Tigers after leading 2-0 at halftime in a highly charged encounter at the Independence Stadium on Friday night.Civics had to blame themselves for not picking up the three points as they had the better side on paper.African Stars thought they could walk away with a win on Saturday after a 1-0 lead for most of the match, but were bitterly disappointed when Kleophas Dawid of Oshakati City levelled matters in the 88th minute to force the match into a 1-all draw.Mighty Gunners were the superior side when they trounced fellow new premiership entrants Fedics United 3-0 at the Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo.The league has started off with teams such as Civics, Black Africa, Ramblers and Eleven Arrows all having occupied the first position in the last six matches that all the teams have played.There are still 16 matches to go for each team before the league comes to an end next year, but for now, all teams will be looking at doing well.The prize money for the league winners is N$500 000 and each of the 12 premiership sides will want to lay claim to it.Defending champions Civics seem to no longer have the firm grip as table toppers they had for the past three seasons, because all teams are capable enough to land the coveted title.The sides that have struggled so far are the two newcomers, Mighty Gunners and Fedics United, who still have to show their potential of surviving in the league.Blue Waters have been exposed badly because of their relatively inexperienced side.Arrows, African Stars, Oshakati City, Black Africa, Tigers and SKW are all on equal footing in terms of strength and their chances of aiming for the top five spots will be determined by how they can outwit their stronger opposition.The potential league winners because of their larger number of quality players are Civics, Ramblers and Orlando Pirates.