Tigers to keep Civics in check

THE in-form Tigers side will be poised to win their weekend matches as they attempt to keep log leaders Civics in check, as both have 13 points in the MTC Namibia Premier League.

Tigers, who displayed a stylish blend of football in their two wins last weekend, will be required to continue with the same form as they face coastal sides Blue Waters and Eleven Arrows in crucial ties in Windhoek. Civics, which also recorded two wins last weekend, will be involved in a relatively easy encounter against SKW tonight, before meeting a determined African Stars side on Sunday.For Tigers, the two matches will be a hill to climb, but the players will be encouraged to pull off wins in both games, considering their position in the league, while their form has also not be disappointing since the premiership got into action after the Christmas break last weekend.Tigers midfielder Nelson Akwenye has shown his old form and with him drifting loosely in the middle of the park and at times on the left wing, will make him the target against his opponents this weekend.Veteran midfielder Page Ananias who in their match against Black Africa played in a left-back defensive role, also looks sharp, while goalkeeper Fox Nambudunga has only conceded six goals so far.The Tigers side demonstrated that they are a well-oiled unit, capable of beating any team on any given day.The Donkerhoek side is currently on a great run and winning at the weekend will give them the motivation in maintaining that run.Civics has their danger man Rudi ‘Gazza’ Louw who has repeatedly shown consistent form as a left-out midfielder, but his abilities to single-handedly win matches will come under the microscope again this weekend.Louw scored a stunner in last year’s FNB Cup semi-final victory over Blue Waters after a solo run past a barrage of defenders, before he found the bottom of the net in perfectly taken shot.That goal signalled the important role Louw plays for his side and that determination pays off.Civics also saw the return of defensive strongman Amos Shiyuka, after a long layoff last weekend and his leadership skills will just be the right constituent for the side, which has changed captains at least three times.Ramblers, which occupied first spot before last weekend’s matches, are now in third place on 11 points and their performance this weekend against Eleven Arrows and Blue Waters will determine if they will be serious challengers for the title.Prolific Ramblers defender Michael Pienaar is the anchor of the team and his services could have been useful if he was in a more attacking role than sitting in defence.All the premiership matches will be played in Windhoek.Civics, which also recorded two wins last weekend, will be involved in a relatively easy encounter against SKW tonight, before meeting a determined African Stars side on Sunday.For Tigers, the two matches will be a hill to climb, but the players will be encouraged to pull off wins in both games, considering their position in the league, while their form has also not be disappointing since the premiership got into action after the Christmas break last weekend.Tigers midfielder Nelson Akwenye has shown his old form and with him drifting loosely in the middle of the park and at times on the left wing, will make him the target against his opponents this weekend.Veteran midfielder Page Ananias who in their match against Black Africa played in a left-back defensive role, also looks sharp, while goalkeeper Fox Nambudunga has only conceded six goals so far.The Tigers side demonstrated that they are a well-oiled unit, capable of beating any team on any given day.The Donkerhoek side is currently on a great run and winning at the weekend will give them the motivation in maintaining that run.Civics has their danger man Rudi ‘Gazza’ Louw who has repeatedly shown consistent form as a left-out midfielder, but his abilities to single-handedly win matches will come under the microscope again this weekend.Louw scored a stunner in last year’s FNB Cup semi-final victory over Blue Waters after a solo run past a barrage of defenders, before he found the bottom of the net in perfectly taken shot.That goal signalled the important role Louw plays for his side and that determination pays off.Civics also saw the return of defensive strongman Amos Shiyuka, after a long layoff last weekend and his leadership skills will just be the right constituent for the side, which has changed captains at least three times.Ramblers, which occupied first spot before last weekend’s matches, are now in third place on 11 points and their performance this weekend against Eleven Arrows and Blue Waters will determine if they will be serious challengers for the title.Prolific Ramblers defender Michael Pienaar is the anchor of the team and his services could have been useful if he was in a more attacking role than sitting in defence.All the premiership matches will be played in Windhoek.