Ramblers, SKW set the pace

Ramblers and Cymot SKW kept up the pace at the top of the MTC Namibia Premier League log after beating Fedics and Oshakati City respectively, but Black Africa and Orlando Pirates dropped behind after a pulsating goalless draw at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday evening.

Ramblers beat Fedics 2-0 to stay at the top of the log on 25 points, while Cymot SKW beat Oshakati City 2-1 to remain second on 23 points. Black Africa were joined in third place by Eleven Arrows, who beat African Stars 2-1 in Walvis Bay, while Pirates moved down to fifth position on 19 points.PULSATING KATUTURA DERBY Although there were no goals in the Katutura derby, there was lots of drama as both teams hit the woodwork in a fast-paced match that kept the 6 000 strong fans cheering and singing throughout the encounter.The start of the match was delayed for about an hour due to congestion at the turnstiles as late fans still tried to make their way into the stadium.Luckily the spectators remained patient and when the match finally got underway, the fans were not disappointed as both sides produced scintillating soccer.Riaan Cloete was in irresistible form for Pirates and had BA’s defence at full stretch with his penetrating runs, while Steve Maposa and Wilfred Coetzee had early efforts cleared.There was drama at the end of the first half as Maposa and Edian Beukes came close to scoring for Pirates, while Jerome Louis blasted over for BA after a quick counterattack.The attacks continued thick and fast after the break and BA nearly took the lead after a powerful shot by Jerome Louis bounced off the upright.Pirates brought on Celestine Wasserfall, Klaas Blom and Eusebio Fredericks, who immediately made an impact.From a Blom corner, a cracking shot by Wasserfall hit the crossbar and bounced over the line.Pirates’ players started celebrating while their fans went crazy, but the referee disallowed the goal for a foul on a Black Africa defender and ordered a goalkick.In the closing stages, Pirates created more chances, notably through the tricky Klaas Blom who gave BA’s defence a torrid time.Wilfred Coetzee had a fine volley tipped for a corner while another cracker by Wasserfall bounced off the post.RAMBLERS 2 FEDICS 0 Ramblers beat Fedics United 2-0, but it took a long time before they managed to break down Fedics’ defence.Raymond Awaseb opened the stalemate in the 77th minute and a second goal by Samson John a minute from fulltime gave Ramblers a somewhat flattering victory.Fedics had several chances of their own, especially through Ashley Jossop in the first half.He had an early shot saved and then dribbled through the defence only to blast his shot over the bar.After the break Ramblers captain Michael Pienaar had a great chance, but Fedics keeper Virgil Vries brought off a good save, and then two minutes later Roberto Krohne was put clear for Fedics, but blasted his shot over the bar.SKW 2 OSHAKATI 1 Cymot SKW beat Oshakati City 2-1 in a fiery encounter at the SKW Stadium on Saturday afternoon.Arend von Stryk gave SKW the lead shortly after the break, but then the match nearly got out of hand as both teams were guilty of some blatant fouls.Oshakati equalised when Dennis Shikongo scored from the penalty spot after a foul in the box, but Marco van Wyk restored Ramblers’ lead when he chipped the ball over Oshakati’s keeper Melksidek Shiku with 10 minutes remaining.It was not a very attractive match while referee Immanuel Matsi had his hands full trying to maintain discipline on the pitch.Black Africa were joined in third place by Eleven Arrows, who beat African Stars 2-1 in Walvis Bay, while Pirates moved down to fifth position on 19 points.PULSATING KATUTURA DERBY Although there were no goals in the Katutura derby, there was lots of drama as both teams hit the woodwork in a fast-paced match that kept the 6 000 strong fans cheering and singing throughout the encounter.The start of the match was delayed for about an hour due to congestion at the turnstiles as late fans still tried to make their way into the stadium.Luckily the spectators remained patient and when the match finally got underway, the fans were not disappointed as both sides produced scintillating soccer.Riaan Cloete was in irresistible form for Pirates and had BA’s defence at full stretch with his penetrating runs, while Steve Maposa and Wilfred Coetzee had early efforts cleared.There was drama at the end of the first half as Maposa and Edian Beukes came close to scoring for Pirates, while Jerome Louis blasted over for BA after a quick counterattack.The attacks continued thick and fast after the break and BA nearly took the lead after a powerful shot by Jerome Louis bounced off the upright.Pirates brought on Celestine Wasserfall, Klaas Blom and Eusebio Fredericks, who immediately made an impact.From a Blom corner, a cracking shot by Wasserfall hit the crossbar and bounced over the line.Pirates’ players started celebrating while their fans went crazy, but the referee disallowed the goal for a foul on a Black Africa defender and ordered a goalkick.In the closing stages, Pirates created more chances, notably through the tricky Klaas Blom who gave BA’s defence a torrid time.Wilfred Coetzee had a fine volley tipped for a corner while another cracker by Wasserfall bounced off the post.RAMBLERS 2 FEDICS 0 Ramblers beat Fedics United 2-0, but it took a long time before they managed to break down Fedics’ defence.Raymond Awaseb opened the stalemate in the 77th minute and a second goal by Samson John a minute from fulltime gave Ramblers a somewhat flattering victory.Fedics had several chances of their own, especially through Ashley Jossop in the first half.He had an early shot saved and then dribbled through the defence only to blast his shot over the bar.After the break Ramblers captain Michael Pienaar had a great chance, but Fedics keeper Virgil Vries brought off a good save, and then two minutes later Roberto Krohne was put clear for Fedics, but blasted his shot over the bar.SKW 2 OSHAKATI 1 Cymot SKW beat Oshakati City 2-1 in a fiery encounter at the SKW Stadium on Saturday afternoon.Arend von Stryk gave SKW the lead shortly after the break, but then the match nearly got out of hand as both teams were guilty of some blatant fouls.Oshakati equalised when Dennis Shikongo scored from the penalty spot after a foul in the box, but Marco van Wyk restored Ramblers’ lead when he chipped the ball over Oshakati’s keeper Melksidek Shiku with 10 minutes remaining.It was not a very attractive match while referee Immanuel Matsi had his hands full trying to maintain discipline on the pitch.