Stars needs a win

AFRICAN Stars will in touching distance of a second premiership title in post-independent Namibia if they find their way past Eleven Arrows at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay on Sunday. Kick-off is at 14h00.

The match is a postponed fixture after both sides had numerous players in the national team in March this year.Stars are topping the charts on 43 points, while Arrows are stuck in fifth spot on 32 points. Both teams have only played 18 matches compared to other teams who are on 19 and 20.Stars can extend their lead on Sunday and hold on to it, but have to go full out to win their two last matches after this weekend.Arrows will hope to push into the top-four bracket before the end of the season, but will not want to lose to Stars, who downed them in the first leg already.Stars will have a full squad despite the absence of Ninja Karongee who will be doing duty for the national team on Saturday, while Arrows will miss their biggest assets in striker Rudolf Bester and goalkeeper Virgil Vries, also in the national side.Stars last won the league title in 1994 by default, as it was decided in the boardroom after a dispute with Liverpool, which fell out in the end.This time, there won’t be a repeat, as coach Bobby Samaria aims for his first league title with the side that has the biggest support base in Windhoek.Samaria has the record for winning the most cup competitions (five) with one team in only two seasons. The only elusive title as a coach is the premiership championship. The onus will be on Stars to blow their coastal opponents away to make their path to glory easier. Their next opponents will be Oshakati City and Ramblers and a win over Arrows on Sunday can simply make matters easier.The only other match on Sunday will pit SKW (who are in second spot with 42 points) against Chief Santos (relegated) at Tsumeb’s Oscar Norich Stadium.SKW still have to play Civics and Eleven Arrows in their two matches after the weekend game. corry@namibian.com.na