Promotion looming, but cases pending in Southern Stream

HOTSPURS, Fedics and Invincible United are still in with a chance of winning the Southern Stream First Division football title and gain promotion to the Premier League, but that is only possible if outstanding disciplinary cases are resolved.

Hotspurs beat archrivals Invincible United 4-3 last weekend in dramatic fashion in Windhoek to go top of the log. Hotspurs now lead the log with 49 points from 21 matches, followed by Invincible on 47 points from 21 matches and Fedics United from Keetmanshoop on 47 points from 20 matches.According to the league administrator Tovey //Hoebeb, the outcome of the league is dependent on several Disciplinary Committee (DC) cases that still have to be resolved.Fedics have two cases hanging, after their opponents over the past two weekends, Bee Bob Brothers and Black Morocco Chiefs of Mariental, failed to turn up for their matches.If Fedics win these DC cases they will win the league with 53 points.Invincible however, are also still in the running, depending on the outcome of a disciplinary committee hearing regarding their first round match against Hotspurs.That match was abandoned after Invincible walked off and lodged a complaint that no sidelines had been brought onto the pitch.The DC now has to make a decision on this case and if they rule in favour of Invincible, the Khomasdal-based club could still pip Hotspurs to the Southern Stream First Division title.In SaturdayŽs match, Hotspurs struck immediately to open the scoring in the first minute.Invincible’s keeper fumbled a high ball and Julio Shatimuene, the younger brother of national player Letu Shatimuene, stabbed the loose ball into the net.Invincible equalised in the 40th minute and then took the lead seconds after the restart.But Hotspurs once again came back through a great strike by Fabianus Shilongo.In the dramatic final minutes, Invincible once again took the lead, only to see Fadiga equalize for Hotspurs.With time running out, Hotspurs were awarded a freekick and Fadiga struck a great shot.Invincible’s goalie fumbled the ball and Forra was on him in a flash to stab the ball into the net.Hotspurs’ fans and players went wild with delight and the celebrations continued long after the match, according to Tigers and former Hotspurs striker Dokkies Schmidt, who is now assisting Hotspurs with coaching.WILD CELEBRATIONS “We had a big celebration on Saturday night and the boys are very happy.We must now strengthen the team for the Premier League and we hope to recruit former players who are now at Premier League clubs.I will also rejoin Hotspurs as a player-coach for next season,” he said.However HotspursŽ celebrations might be premature since the outstanding DC cases till have to be resolved.ERRORS AND BRIBES Meanwhile, it seems that the Southern Stream has been dogged by irregularities during the final matches of the league.On June 2, Fedics United beat Deportivo Alaves 12-0, after the teams were still tied 0-0 at halftime.The result has caused strong suspicions that some form of bribery took place, but according to the head of referees in Namibia, Boy Boy Ndjadila, the result will stand.”A lot of strange things have happened in football and the scoreline is not impossible.We received the match report from the referee who indicated that nothing untoward happened,” he said.In another incident on Saturday, Hotspurs fielded their veteran midfielder Fabianus Shilongo against Invincible United, despite the fact that he had been red-carded in Hotspurs’ previous match.Ndjadila however said that Invincible’s appeal had come too late.”They should have lodged an appeal before the start of the match in accordance with the rules, but in the end they only appealed about 15 minutes after the game had started,” he said.www.namibiasport.com.naHotspurs now lead the log with 49 points from 21 matches, followed by Invincible on 47 points from 21 matches and Fedics United from Keetmanshoop on 47 points from 20 matches.According to the league administrator Tovey //Hoebeb, the outcome of the league is dependent on several Disciplinary Committee (DC) cases that still have to be resolved.Fedics have two cases hanging, after their opponents over the past two weekends, Bee Bob Brothers and Black Morocco Chiefs of Mariental, failed to turn up for their matches.If Fedics win these DC cases they will win the league with 53 points.Invincible however, are also still in the running, depending on the outcome of a disciplinary committee hearing regarding their first round match against Hotspurs.That match was abandoned after Invincible walked off and lodged a complaint that no sidelines had been brought onto the pitch.The DC now has to make a decision on this case and if they rule in favour of Invincible, the Khomasdal-based club could still pip Hotspurs to the Southern Stream First Division title.In SaturdayŽs match, Hotspurs struck immediately to open the scoring in the first minute.Invincible’s keeper fumbled a high ball and Julio Shatimuene, the younger brother of national player Letu Shatimuene, stabbed the loose ball into the net.Invincible equalised in the 40th minute and then took the lead seconds after the restart.But Hotspurs once again came back through a great strike by Fabianus Shilongo.In the dramatic final minutes, Invincible once again took the lead, only to see Fadiga equalize for Hotspurs.With time running out, Hotspurs were awarded a freekick and Fadiga struck a great shot.Invincible’s goalie fumbled the ball and Forra was on him in a flash to stab the ball into the net.Hotspurs’ fans and players went wild with delight and the celebrations continued long after the match, according to Tigers and former Hotspurs striker Dokkies Schmidt, who is now assisting Hotspurs with coaching. WILD CELEBRATIONS “We had a big celebration on Saturday night and the boys are very happy.We must now strengthen the team for the Premier League and we hope to recruit former players who are now at Premier League clubs.I will also rejoin Hotspurs as a player-coach for next season,” he said.However HotspursŽ celebrations might be premature since the outstanding DC cases till have to be resolved. ERRORS AND BRIBES Meanwhile, it seems that the Southern Stream has been dogged by irregularities during the final matches of the league.On June 2, Fedics United beat Deportivo Alaves 12-0, after the teams were still tied 0-0 at halftime.The result has caused strong suspicions that some form of bribery took place, but according to the head of referees in Namibia, Boy Boy Ndjadila, the result will stand.”A lot of strange things have happened in football and the scoreline is not impossible.We received the match report from the referee who indicated that nothing untoward happened,” he said.In another incident on Saturday, Hotspurs fielded their veteran midfielder Fabianus Shilongo against Invincible United, despite the fact that he had been red-carded in Hotspurs’ previous match.Ndjadila however said that Invincible’s appeal had come too late.”They should have lodged an appeal before the start of the match in accordance with the rules, but in the end they only appealed about 15 minutes after the game had started,” he said.www.namibiasport.com.na