Stars out to tame Tigers

PREMIERSHIP mid-table dwellers African Stars and Tigers will continue their rivalry in the new season, but Stars will be the favourites to further upset the wounded ‘Ingweinyama’ when they meet at the Sam Nujoma Stadium tomorrow night.

Kick-off is at 19h00. The two Katutura outfits go into the match with high hopes, as neither has shown consistent form, especially during the FNB Cup, in which both were recently knocked out.The league campaigns of both teams did not start on a high note, with Stars having a 50 per cent success (2 wins from 4 matches), while Tigers have not secured a win yet.Stars are fifth on the league table, while Tigers are rooted in ninth spot.Stars secured two victories, but have one loss and a draw, while Tigers have not won a single match, with two losses and two draws, also from four matches to date.Stars will be the favourites, coming from their 1-0 victory against Orlando Pirates at the weekend, while Tigers have to dig deep to land their first win after they failed to go past Oshakati City, losing 2-1 in a home fixture, also at the weekend.The excitement among the fans ahead of and during this encounter is generally high, as it is regarded as a traditional derby between the country’s two oldest clubs.Tigers have been the hardest hit during the transfer season as they lost most of their key players, while Stars will be hoping for Congo Hindjou, who has returned, to make an impact.Hindjou has not yet gained his old form and a lack of match fitness came to the fore during the past few matches he played for his new club.The safe pair of hands of Stars’ prolific goalkeeper Max Mbaeva will be useful in this encounter, after he failed to keep his side in contention for the FNB Cup finals as he missed out on several possible saves during a penalty shootout against SKW.Stars lost crucial players such as Freedom Puriza and Johannes Seibeb last season.But Tigers suffered the biggest blow as their top and long-serving playmaker, Nelson Akwenye, key defender Jeremia Baisako and the fantastic goal-getter, Pineas Jacob, all left for Ramblers.The busy Mahne Martin, who turned out as a midfielder and defender for Tigers, also joined the ‘Rammies’.Tigers have suffered to land the goals that matter and have been struggling in midfield, while a weakened defence has put a lot of pressure on their goalkeeper.The side will once again rely on the experience of Fox Nambundunga in goal, while Leonard Stanley will be their other source of inspiration, as he will lead the attack.Nambundunga has been heavily exposed in their four matches and has already conceded seven goals, the fourth highest after Fedics United, Mighty Gunners and Blue Waters.The undecided saga on coaches at Tigers on the bench was also not helpful for the players, as instructions came in thick and fast, leaving some players confused.Tigers general manager Cucks Kunamwene confirmed that former Unam and junior national team coach Willie Kapukare has taken over at Tigers as head coach.Both teams will be going into the match with a sense of confidence as they look for points, which will could prove of significance when the league comes to an end next May.The two Katutura outfits go into the match with high hopes, as neither has shown consistent form, especially during the FNB Cup, in which both were recently knocked out.The league campaigns of both teams did not start on a high note, with Stars having a 50 per cent success (2 wins from 4 matches), while Tigers have not secured a win yet.Stars are fifth on the league table, while Tigers are rooted in ninth spot.Stars secured two victories, but have one loss and a draw, while Tigers have not won a single match, with two losses and two draws, also from four matches to date.Stars will be the favourites, coming from their 1-0 victory against Orlando Pirates at the weekend, while Tigers have to dig deep to land their first win after they failed to go past Oshakati City, losing 2-1 in a home fixture, also at the weekend.The excitement among the fans ahead of and during this encounter is generally high, as it is regarded as a traditional derby between the country’s two oldest clubs.Tigers have been the hardest hit during the transfer season as they lost most of their key players, while Stars will be hoping for Congo Hindjou, who has returned, to make an impact.Hindjou has not yet gained his old form and a lack of match fitness came to the fore during the past few matches he played for his new club.The safe pair of hands of Stars’ prolific goalkeeper Max Mbaeva will be useful in this encounter, after he failed to keep his side in contention for the FNB Cup finals as he missed out on several possible saves during a penalty shootout against SKW.Stars lost crucial players such as Freedom Puriza and Johannes Seibeb last season.But Tigers suffered the biggest blow as their top and long-serving playmaker, Nelson Akwenye, key defender Jeremia Baisako and the fantastic goal-getter, Pineas Jacob, all left for Ramblers.The busy Mahne Martin, who turned out as a midfielder and defender for Tigers, also joined the ‘Rammies’.Tigers have suffered to land the goals that matter and have been struggling in midfield, while a weakened defence has put a lot of pressure on their goalkeeper.The side will once again rely on the experience of Fox Nambundunga in goal, while Leonard Stanley will be their other source of inspiration, as he will lead the attack. Nambundunga has been heavily exposed in their four matches and has already conceded seven goals, the fourth highest after Fedics United, Mighty Gunners and Blue Waters.The undecided saga on coaches at Tigers on the bench was also not helpful for the players, as instructions came in thick and fast, leaving some players confused.Tigers general manager Cucks Kunamwene confirmed that former Unam and junior national team coach Willie Kapukare has taken over at Tigers as head coach.Both teams will be going into the match with a sense of confidence as they look for points, which will could prove of significance when the league comes to an end next May.