Khomas Nampol well placed in title chase
Football
The three-horse race at the top of the standings looks set to continue until the final whistle of the season.
Khomas Nampol FC, in their debut Debmarine Namibia Premier Football League season, has kept their hopes of a sensational title triumph alive after beating Life Fighters FC 4-0 on Sunday.African Stars who began the weekend with a win, could not maintain much daylight between them and the chasers, ending the weekend just two points ahead of second-placed Khomas Nampol.
As defending champions, African Stars had to be content with a 1-1 result against Blue Waters at the Independence Stadium on Sunday. Romario Ndjavera put the hosts ahead after an assist from Willy Stephanus, but Erastus Kulula struck back for the Walvis Bay side with an equaliser off a counter-attack.
“It was very disappointing losing the ball and then conceding a goal,” Stars captain Ronald Ketjijere said afterwards.
“Of course every match is a must-win at this stage. We also saw some poor decision-making in our front three. We need to be more clinical and work on our finishing touches. We must remain positive that in our final three matches we can win the league.”
Meanwhile, Nampol coach Fortune Eichab said the points margin have highlighted the hard work his club has done this season.
“This is a good position to be in with three matches to go.
“I have said it over again that this players deserve credit for working so hard.
“We are in it and if the big teams drop points, anything can happen,” Eichab said.
Ongos FC, who are the third team in the race, had a bye weekend.
They will however be comforted by the fact that with two matches in hand, they are just five points behind the leaders and three behind Khomas Nampol.
Ongos can win the league if they win their last five matches, while hoping the task might also become easier in case Stars and Nampol drop more points.
Unam FC, who took a 2-0 win against Young Brazilians, are in fourth position, one of four teams level on 39 points, but too far behind to threaten the top three.
Bottom battle
At the bottom of the log, matters also took another twist after Orlando Pirates leapfrogged out of the relegation zone.
Pirates lost 3-0 to Blue Waters on Saturday, but then managed to get one log point against Okahandja United after a 2-2 draw.
Their results meant that Julinho Sporting FC, who were not in action this weekend, dropped down into the relegation zone.
The Buccaneers now have 22 points, while Julinho and Okakarara Young Warriors have 21 and 20 points respectively.
Julinho and Okakarara Young Warriors however have two matches in hand.
Life Fighters FC gave themselves a chance of survival after beating Young Brazilians 1-0 on Saturday.
They however dropped points at home after their encounter with Khomas Nampol FC.
“We still have a chance and it’s not over until the last match,” Life Fighters spokesman Terry Ujamba said.
GLADIATORS PLAY TODAY
Namibia’s national women’s team, the Brave Gladiators, play Botswana in an international friendly in Tlokweng today.
Talismanic striker Zenatha Coleman has joined up with her teammates from Turkish club Fenerbahce, as did US-based Millicent Hikuam.
“There is not much at stake in the match other than national pride, but we have a chance to improve our place on the world rankings against a higher placed opponent,” coach Woody Jacobs said yesterday.
“I’ve seen good energy in our training sessions and I’m looking forward to the match. I told the girls we can start a build-up to realise our potential and win the next Cosafa Women’s title for the first time at the next tournament in August. We have always been under-achievers at Cosafa, only making one final in 2005 and since then we made the semi-final and the bronze final last year.
“This bunch of players have come on in leaps and bounds. The Afcon qualifiers for 2027 is another challenge ahead of us.”
After five previous encounters against the Botswana women’s team, Namibia is yet to achieve its first win, having lost three and drawn twice.