Premiership rookies SKW have what it takes: Molthan

SPORT Klub Windhoek (SKW) chairman Vincent Molthan believes that his newly promoted side has what it takes to survive its first season in the streamlined Namibia Premier League (NPL).

The new NPL season, which is expected to start on November 12, will only feature 12 teams instead of 16. Molthan, whose side has re-entered the league after an absence of about 13 years, is convinced that his players are well prepared for the challenges.SKW beat United Stars 3-0 at Otjiwarongo over the weekend to secure one of the two premiership spots that were up for grabs.Touch & Go from Otavi was the other side to be promoted after they beat Black Morocco Chiefs (BMC) 5-4 at the same venue to book their place.Molthan told The Namibian Sport in an interview yesterday that SKW was confident of a mid-table place at the end of the season next year.”The team has the players who can maintain a consistent record in the top league.We are going to compete fearlessly against whoever we are going to face.The players have so far shown that commitment,” he said.SKW is one of the few sport clubs in the country that has various sport sections and these include fistball, volleyball, bowling, tennis, BMX Four Cross, gymnastics, trampoline and radio-controlled cars.Molthan said the team needs to sharpen its striking force, but he is happy with the performance of the midfielders and the defence.”We might need a strong midfielder who can hold the game and some experienced defenders who can add stability at the back,” he said.SKW coach Richard Starke was equally optimistic, saying: “We need to survive the first year.We have some areas that we need to strengthen and there are players from especially the first division that are willing to join the team.They are welcome to train with us and we will see who we can decide upon.”The NPL window period was reopened yesterday and will run until November 23, according to its administrative head, Tovey //Hoebeb.Starke, who is assisted by long-time SKW footballer Rolf Beiter, is also optimistic about a mid-table position at the end of the season.Players such as sharp-shooting striker Arend von Stryk and Lucky Kakuva are currently the backbone of the team and their experience will prove invaluable for the team this season.Molthan said they have an equal opportunity with teams such as Africa Stars, Oshakati City, Eleven Arrows to survive in the league.Teams that end in 11th and 12th position will play in the promotion playoffs against regional first-division sides.”I firmly believe that we can have some of these teams behind us at the end of the league,” he said.SKW will have their first taste of top football when they face Eleven Arrows in the Humphries Security Cup at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay this weekend.Molthan said the game will be tough, but the players will give it their best shot.The team won three consecutive first-division titles in the 1990s, but was never promoted to the Premier League due to problems in football at that time.Molthan, whose side has re-entered the league after an absence of about 13 years, is convinced that his players are well prepared for the challenges.SKW beat United Stars 3-0 at Otjiwarongo over the weekend to secure one of the two premiership spots that were up for grabs.Touch & Go from Otavi was the other side to be promoted after they beat Black Morocco Chiefs (BMC) 5-4 at the same venue to book their place.Molthan told The Namibian Sport in an interview yesterday that SKW was confident of a mid-table place at the end of the season next year.”The team has the players who can maintain a consistent record in the top league.We are going to compete fearlessly against whoever we are going to face.The players have so far shown that commitment,” he said.SKW is one of the few sport clubs in the country that has various sport sections and these include fistball, volleyball, bowling, tennis, BMX Four Cross, gymnastics, trampoline and radio-controlled cars.Molthan said the team needs to sharpen its striking force, but he is happy with the performance of the midfielders and the defence.”We might need a strong midfielder who can hold the game and some experienced defenders who can add stability at the back,” he said.SKW coach Richard Starke was equally optimistic, saying: “We need to survive the first year.We have some areas that we need to strengthen and there are players from especially the first division that are willing to join the team.They are welcome to train with us and we will see who we can decide upon.”The NPL window period was reopened yesterday and will run until November 23, according to its administrative head, Tovey //Hoebeb.Starke, who is assisted by long-time SKW footballer Rolf Beiter, is also optimistic about a mid-table position at the end of the season.Players such as sharp-shooting striker Arend von Stryk and Lucky Kakuva are currently the backbone of the team and their experience will prove invaluable for the team this season.Molthan said they have an equal opportunity with teams such as Africa Stars, Oshakati City, Eleven Arrows to survive in the league.Teams that end in 11th and 12th position will play in the promotion playoffs against regional first-division sides.”I firmly believe that we can have some of these teams behind us at the end of the league,” he said.SKW will have their first taste of top football when they face Eleven Arrows in the Humphries Security Cup at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay this weekend.Molthan said the game will be tough, but the players will give it their best shot.The team won three consecutive first-division titles in the 1990s, but was never promoted to the Premier League due to problems in football at that time.