Stars close in on SKW

AFRICAN Stars dug out a 2-0 win over lowly placed Mighty Gunners on Saturday, after their intentions of feasting on the relegation-threatened side diminished just after the break.

Despite missing out on improving their aggregate, the result put Stars back in the title chase after log leaders SKW stumbled to Black Africa through a massive 4-1 thumping on Thursday.Stars fought off a rigid Gunners side at the Independence Stadium to keep SKW in check, as they are only two points adrift from the leaders.SKW are now on 42 points after Stars closed their five-point lead through a brace by Ninja Karongee during a relatively well-attended match.BA’s win moved them into fourth spot on 35 points, one point behind third-placed Civics which sit on 36 after their 1-all draw against Tigers on Friday night.Orlando Pirates secured a much-needed 3-1 win over Oshakati City in Windhoek on Saturday, while Eleven Arrows were held to a 2-all draw by Ramblers at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay.Chief Santos gained a point at the weekend after they held Hotspurs to a 1-all draw at Windhoek’s Khomasdal Stadium.Stars seemed to get going early in the first half after Karongee pounced onto a loose to open the scoring, but their swift attempts at goal were held back by Gunners, who put up a solid battle overall.Gunners effectively kept out most efforts by Stars dangerman Rudi ‘Gazza’ Louw in the middle of the park, while Edison ‘Masinga’ Muheua could not produce his trademark crosses from the right wing with ease.But Gunners lost concentration moments before the break, with Stars scoring the second through a well-orchestrated counter-attack.Karongee was on target again after a sweet pass by Heinrich Kazerua to post a comfortable lead for his side. But that was it, as the Gunners defence held on nicely in the second half with a never-say-die spirit.Pirates missed several chances to score more goals in their encounter earlier in the day, but still managed to wipe out all efforts by City to record a surprise win in an error-ridden game.The City defenders went unpunished on several occasions for their rough tackles on the Pirates strikers, with especially Simson John getting caught through back-charges on numerous times.But that did not bother the Buccaneers, who finished off the match handsomely with goals coming from John, Meraai Swartbooi and the youthful Sidney Urikhob who came on as a sub.Muna Katupose and Rudolf Bester found the net for Arrows, while Boma Nailonga and Paul Dickson scored for Ramblers. corry@namibian.com.na