Stars lead, Arrows stumble

AFRICAN Stars consolidated their grip at the summit of the MTC Namibia Premier League table, despite a slim 1-0 win over Ramblers at the Hage Geingob Stadium on Saturday.

The win leaves them four points clear from fellow challengers to the throne SKW and six off Eleven Arrows.Arrows suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat to Sport Klub Windhoek at the SKW Stadium earlier in the day. The loss by Arrows was only their second for the season, contrary to Stars’ unbeaten record of 10 matches on the trot now.Stars has now garnered 28 points compared to Arrows which drifted down to third spot still on 22. Both teams have a game in hand, but SKW has played 11 to date and is in second spot on 24 after only losing three times this season with no draws. The industrious Ninja Karongee was on target for Stars, who are also referred to as ‘Otjiuana’, to leave Ramblers in more misery as they are now in tenth spot, while SKW striker Marco van Wyk was responsible for the downfall of Arrows.Arrows were hoping to close down Stars at the weekend before they meet next Saturday in what could be a monumental encounter for both sides.BA DISMANTLE CITY In other matches, Black Africa netted four goals past Oshakati City at the Khomasdal Stadium also on Saturday, with leading premiership striker Jerome Louis netting a hat-trick. Louis has now 12 goals to his name in 11 matches.The black and red outfit played without their head coach Tollie van Wyk who quit the side prior to the encounter. Sign Nunge, who was the assistant to van Wyk, was on hand to take the side through.It is expected that current Orlando Pirates coach Brian Isaacs will take over for the second round, after Pirates brought in former Mighty Gunners head coach Dawid Snewe onto their bench.In fact, Pirates recorded a 1-0 away win through the boot of striker Samson John against Chief Santos at Tsumeb’s Oscar Norich Stadium on Saturday.Former Brave Warriors players Berlin Auchumeb and Gerros Witbeen are now caretaker coaches for Santos after the departure of Max Johnson. But that still could not prevent the team from going down against old foes Pirates at their home ground. Tigers, who yesterday fired their head coach Willem Kapukare, hopelessly blew their 4-1 lead to lose 5-4 to Hotspurs at the Khomasdal Stadium in Windhoek on Friday night.After putting up a splendid display against African Stars a few weeks ago, Tigers looked set to dismiss Hotspurs with ease, but a lack of concentration and complacency cost them the match in the end.The side will now look at their assistant coaches in Page Ananias and Kumi Uumati to pick up the pieces as the league is heading into the second round.corry@namibian.com.na

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