ORLANDO Pirates and Civics may yet make good on their promise after improving their bids for MTC Namibia Premiership survival with hard-fought 3-2 and 1-0 victories over Tigers and Unam at Sam Nujoma Stadium on Wednesday.
The results see Pirates remain at the foot of the table but now level on 22 points with Blue Waters, who have a superior goal difference, with formerly third-last Civics moving to 25 points and leapfrogging Okahandja United to place 12th.
Pirates, who still harbour ambitions of qualifying for next season’s Standard Bank Top Eight competition, had to do it the hard way, missing a penalty and coming from behind to secure the crucial win thanks to a Magnus Duncan hat trick.
The Ingweiyama led early through Kenedy Amutenya but a Duncan double before the break saw the Sea Robbers turn the tide in their favour.
Rehabeam Mbango levelled the score not long after the restart. However, Duncan completed his treble with 15 minutes left as Pirates snapped a three-match losing streak.
“Knowing the position that we’re in, this was energy sapping. It’s one of those matches where you had to go full out. It was nerve-wrecking end-to-end stuff. We had to get a result tonight and we made it,” said relieved Pirates assistant coach Geoffrey Roman afterwards.
More of the same at home to mid-table Julinho Sporting on Sunday could see Pirates out of the relegation zone and in with a shot at making the top eight.
“Our target is top eight. The chance is still there. We have to go and collect maximum points in the four games that are left,” Roman said.
“This [Sunday’s match] is our home game. We have to make it rough for them. We have to get the three points, come what may.
“This [result] puts pressure on the others, so if we can put in the same time of effort, commitment and belief and we pick up three points on Sunday, then eighth position is definitely within reach.
In contrast, losing coach Ali Akan’ return from retirement is not going according to plan, having lost both matches since replacing Peter Mokwena a week ago.
Tigers, who next face a daunting trip to Young Brazilians’ gravel pitch at Karasburg on Saturday, are only four points better off than Pirates which places them just above the relegation dogfight.
YB are a point and a spot below Tigers.
“I think we didn’t play bad. But unfortunately we made mistakes. All three goals were individual mistakes. We created enough chances, but unfortunately we could not capitalise on these chances,” said Akan, who added “no, I’m not,” when quizzed whether he was worried about the dreaded axe.
“On behalf of the players and technical team, I’m so sorry for the supporters and management.
I think we fixed some of the problems, we’re on the right track but at the moment the results are not coming.
“At the moment I think, we’re playing good football. We need to fix these problems.”
Meanwhile, Civics put up a disciplined defence as they impressively shut out Unam throughout their absorbing contest.
The Khomasdal-based outfit were rewarded for their industry with the only goal of the match through a sweet 75th minute strike from midfielder Quinton Kuruseb.
Civilians host sixth-placed Mighty Gunners at Sam Nujoma Stadium on Friday night.
Bungling Blue Waters will look to make home advantage count against the visiting Citizens, who sit pretty in seventh, tonight.
Okahandja United can add to their 23 points with a home win over high flying Life Fighters for whom victory on Sunday moves them a point behind third placed Unam. – Additional reporting from Nampa
