Stars strengthen title credentials

African Stars strengthened their Namibia Premier League title credentials after collecting maximum points over the weekend to maintain a 10-point lead over defending champions Black Africa.

On Saturday they beat Benfica 2-0 and on Sunday beat Touch & Go by the same score with Pat Uanivi and new signing Klaas Blom scoring the winning goals.

The victories put them on 47 points from 19 matches – 10 clear of Black Africa who have also played 19 matches.

BA also collected maximum points, beating United Stars 3-2 on Saturday and Julinho 3-0 on Sunday but with a 10-point deficit on Stars and two-thirds of the season gone it’s going to be very difficult to narrow the gap.

BA coach Ronnie Kanalelo said anything was possible but admitted that Stars were in a strong position to win the league.

“As long as we are winning our matches, anything is possible. At the moment they are still winning, so the gap is still there, but it’s one game at a time. I have to be realistic, they have a 10-point lead, the games are even, so what are we talking about. We just have to be realistic and take each game as it comes and see what happens at the top.”

Black Africa’s victory against Julinho at the SKW Stadium was not much of a spectacle as the visitors didn’t provide much opposition, and BA did enough to get the victory.

After a boring opening half hour, BA struck with two goals in three minutes at the end of the first half. New signing Heini Isaacks opened his account for BA when he scrambled in a loose ball following a shot by Roger Katjiteo, while

Muna Katupose made it 2-0 with a fine header from Brian Bantam’s corner.

Roger Katjiteo made it 3-0 midway through the second half when Julinho keeper Mutumbo Mulumba couldn’t control a freekick by Willy Stephanus and Katjiteo pounced to put the loose ball into the net.

After the match, Kanalelo said Julinho did not provide much of a test.

“They didn’t actually bring much to the game, they tried to pack their midfield and force us out wide, but with a three-defence line it was pretty easy for us to work out their strategy. So we just stretched their front line out a bit and tried to get through the centre.

“You can’t write much about this game, but I just wanted to see the mentality of my players in terms of keeping the intensity high, playing intelligently and keeping the structure,” he said.

Blue Waters meanwhile went third after collecting maximum points in Windhoek.

On Saturday they beat Tigers 2-1 despite being reduced to 10 men and on Sunday they beat Rebels 1-0 with Gregory Auchumeb scoring the winning goal. The results see them moving up to third place on the log on 33 points.

Tigers got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory against Eleven Arrows on Sunday.

Philemon Nambele put them 1-0 ahead after volleying home a header by Penduleni Nekundi but Arrows substitute Ellenmore Rhappozoh equalised with a great volley midway through the second half.

Nambele however sealed Tigers’ win with his second goal, heading in from a corner with only three minutes to go.

Tigers are now fourth on the log on 32 points – just ahead of Orlando Pirates on goal difference.

Civics also got back to winning ways, after their 1-0 defeat to Pirates on Friday, when they beat Mighty Gunners 2-0 on Sunday.

Two first half goals by defender Alfons Gurirab and a Gunners own goal after pressure by Civics striker Sadney Urikhob sealed their win.

In other matches on Sunday, Unam beat United Stars 3-2 and Tura Magic beat Benfica 1-0.

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