As tight as it gets
Football
The title race continues to keep spectators in suspense – as does the bottom-of-the-log relegation battle.
The Debmarine Namibia Premiership football season is far from decided following more twists in Sunday’s matches. African Stars went into the weekend looking like they might just put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack, but only ended the weekend on 53 points.
Ongo’s FC 3-1 defeat to Unam on Friday and Stars’ 1-0 win over Eeshoke Chula Chula on Saturday may have given the Reds hope of holding on to their title with five matches to go.
The log leaders however squandered a chance of increasing on their lead by losing 0-1 to Mighty Gunners at Otjiwarongo on Sunday.
Instead Ongos, who appeared to be losing ground on Stars, rejuvenated their hopes by taking a 1-0 win over Life Fighters at Independence Stadium on Sunday.
They are currently in third with five points behind African Stars, while also having game in hand which could narrow the margins provided they win it.
Khomas Nampol FC, who also looked as if they had conceded the title chase to Stars weeks ago after back to back defeats, have risen again after collecting six valuable points.
The police team has carried the pacesetter tag for most parts of the season and with just two points separating them from African Stars, the are still in a position where a fairytale triumph in their debut NPFL season is highly possible.
Nampol’s 3-0 win over Okakarara Young Warriors on Friday and the 3-2 win over Julinho Sporting on Sunday, both at Independence Stadium, has almost closed the gap behind Stars, having played the same amount of matches.
Coach Fortune Eichab has, at least in media interviews, been consistently talking down the team’s title ambitions this season, by repeatedly stating his team is under no pressure to win the title, but merely to protect their premiership status.
Eichab finally changed his tune somewhat after Sunday’s final whistle.
“Many never expected us to be in this position at this stage of the season, but we have done so well so far.
“Yes, there are still matches to be played, but I think our club has every right to be dubbed as potential winners given how far we have come.
“This past weekend was enough to provide evidence that it is not over yet and the winner could be decided on the final weekend,” Eichab said.
RELEGATION BATTLE
At the bottom of the log, the relegation battle continues to provide a potential dramatic end to the season.
Three clubs will lose their premiership status at the end, but it still remains unclear who they will be as point margins remain tight and close.
Life Fighters, who almost seemed redeemed the week before, nos looks like the first club that will go down.
The Otjiwarongo club is on 16 points and failed to collect any points last weekend after two 0-1 losses to Young African and Ongos FC.
On just 16 points, they are five behind fellow relegation strugglers Orlando Pirates, whose drawn result against Chula Chula on Sunday put them level on points with Julinho Sporting who are a place above the relegation zone.
Pirates and Julinho sit on 21 points, while Okakarara Young Warriors are on 20.
Life Fighters coach George Ochurub was forced to admit that not gaining points last weekend may have sealed their relegation fate.
The coach however vowed that his charges will fight till the last day of the season.
“It was definitely not such a good weekend for us and this makes life difficult.
“As a team, we have no other options left but to give our best in the remaining league fixtures,” Ochurub said.
Civics FC, currently two positions above the relegation zone, will still be looking over their shoulders as those rooted in the drop zone are just three points behind them.
The Civilians lost 2-1 to Blue Waters at Walvis Bay on Saturday, but managed to get a point on Sunday after a 1-1 draw on the road against Okahandja FC.
Civics fans are still worried that the club could get relegated if they do not pull up their socks.
“I am honestly worried with what the outcome could be, because things are very tight at the bottom.
“I just hope the players realise that we are not out of trouble yet. They need to play their hearts out and they can’t give anything away,” Civics fan Marco Nel said.