NAMIBIA Premier League (NPL) champions African Stars kick off their league campaign with rookies United Stars on Saturday, in what could be an unpredictable encounter on a neutral venue.
The match is pencilled for the Oscar Norich Stadium in Tsumeb, which serves as the new home venue for the northern Stars whose Rundu Sports Complex was declared unfit for premiership football.African Stars, under coach Bobby Samaria, will aim to start their season on a high note to maintain the momentum they had last season despite little pre-season action.But before the Tsumeb encounter, Tigers will formally open proceedings with rivals Orlando Pirates at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Friday night (20h00), in a match that will see Pirates take to the Astroturf for the first time.Tigers played two outstanding matches at the same venue over a week ago and will have the upper hand in this one. Tigers beat Black Africa and Eleven Arrows at the same venue to clinch the FNB Football Expo.Pirates will have back Quinton Jacobs, who recently returned from Lebanon after his trials at one of the top clubs there were not successful. Tigers captain Tangeni Shipahu proved at the Football Expo that he is in top shape and ready for action and will be expected to lead from the front once again.In another tough clash, league runners-up Civics meet Black Africa on Saturday at the Sam Nujoma Stadium. Jerome Louis will lead the attack once again for BA this season, after he also did not make it in Lebanon.Black Africa ended third last season and like Civics, they will aim at putting in a good start to their title ambitions for a fourth championship crown.Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) travel to Walvis Bay’s Atlantis Stadium to meet Eleven Arrows in what could be anyone’s game, while Blue Waters, who have made a return to top-flight football, take on Oshakati City at the Uukwangula Stadium at Embandu on Saturday.Ramblers have a date with Hotspurs at their Ramblers home venue to complete the weekend fixtures. corry@namibian.com.na
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
