NamibiaSport

The second round of the MTC Namibia Premier League gets underway this weekend with several exciting matches in store.

Pirates v Civics

On Friday night defending champions Orlando Pirates take on Civics at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium in a crucial match for both teams. Pirates are currently fourth on the log on 22 points with Civics fifth, a point behind, but both are well behind log leaders African Stars on 31 points.

Pirates won their first round encounter 2-0 and with a strong squad at their disposal they will fancy their chances of another victory. In defence they have quality players like Enrico Afrikaner, Mohammed Ouseb and Eric Aoseb, while they probably have the league’s most creative midfield with players like Klaas Blom, Johannes Seibeb and Meraai Swartbooi in their midst.

They have however not been very convincing in attack with John Samson often fighting a lone battle up front.

After a poor start, Civics have grown stronger and have won their last three matches in a row, scoring nine goals in the process. Last year’s top goalscorer, Pineas Jacob is starting to find his form in attack, while winger Eslin Kamuhanga has been one of the best performers in the league, both as a creator and a goal scorer. They, too, have some creative midfielders in the likes of Bradley Wermann and Victor Helu, while star striker Heini Isaacs is back from a long injury layoff.
Prediction: Pirates 2 Civics 2

SKW v Tigers

In another match on Friday night, Cymot SKW take on Tigers just across the road at the SKW Stadium.

SKW have been one of the surprise packages this season and are currently second on 24 points. Their regular coach Richard Starke resigned midway through the first round due to health problems but assistant coaches Rolf Beiter and Lucky Kakuva have continued with some fine results, recording victories against Black Africa, Chief Santos and Eleven Arrows.

They should start as the favourites against a Tigers team, still struggling to come to terms with the sacking of former coach Willem Kapukare, after their shock 5-4 defeat to Hotspurs. Assistant coach Page Ananias has taken over the hot seat while former Brave Warriors coach and current Namibia Sport Commission chief administrator Rusten Mogane has been roped in as a “knowledge advisor” whatever that might mean.
Tigers have some highly talented strikers in the likes of Tangeni Shipahu, Kenny Malgas, Samuel Goagoseb and Gregory Horaeb, and are capable of shocking SKW, but they will have to strengthen their defence.
Prediction: SKW 2 Tigers 1

Stars v Black Africa

The weekend’s biggest crowd can be expected on Saturday when log leaders African Stars take on Black Africa at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium.
Stars have been pulling in the crowds as they recorded victory after victory and at the end of the first round they were still unbeaten with ten victories in a row and only one draw.

That draw came in their opening match of the season against none other than Black Africa, who will be hoping to stem Stars’ victory march. All the teams in the league in fact will hope that BA will do them a favour and beat Stars, who are now seven points clear at the top of the log.

Under coach Bobby Samaria they are playing a refreshing, attacking brand of soccer while players like Edison Muheua, Dennis Ngueza, Rudi Louw, Jamu Ngatjizeko and Brouwers Litombo are all in great form. They probably hold too many aces for BA, but should be wary of BA striker Jerome Louis. Despite BA struggling in sixth position on the log, Louis has been in a class of his own and currently leads the goal scorers’ chart with 11 goals from 11 matches. Well travelled coach Ali Akan has also joined Black Africa and could make a difference to their fortunes, although he will need time.
Prediction: Stars 2 Black Africa 1

Ramblers v Hotspurs

Ramblers’ home match against Hotspurs on Saturday has been shifted to the SKW Stadium, due to a waterlogged pitch.
It should be an intriguing match with not much to choose between the two sides. Ramblers have struggled all season and recently re-appointed co-coaches Tollie van Wyk and Dave Fransman after parting ways with coach Eric Muinjo and assistant Seun Zimmer. Van Wyk and Fransman had a successful stint with Ramblers during which time they won the NFA Cup and the FNB Charity Cup, but they are currently in unfamiliar territory, struggling in tenth position on the log.

Furthermore, in Hotspurs they face a team that has shown that they are determined to stay in the Premier League. In their last match they beat Tigers 5-4 after trailing 4-1 at a stage, while they beat Ramblers 3-2 in their first round encounter at the Khomasdal Stadium. This match could go either way and should provide a lot of excitement.
Prediction: Ramblers 2 Hotspurs 1

Arrows v Gunners

Eleven Arrows, who travel to Otjiwarongo to take on bottom of the log Mighty Gunners on Saturday, will be determined to win after suffering two defeats in their last two matches against SKW and African Stars. Despite these defeats, they are still third on the log but will have to win to keep in touch with Stars.

With a potent strike force including players like Rudolph Bester, Muna and Tara Katupose, Donovan Swartz, Edward Damaseb and Henry Somseb, they will be strong favourites to win the match against the misfiring Gunners who could only pick up two points during the whole first round.
Prediction:
Gunners 1 Arrows 3

Oshakati v Chief Santos

In the weekend’s final match on Sunday, Oshakati City host Chief Santos in Oshakati.
Oshakati should start as the favourites to win this one, although they have had a poor season by their standards. They are currently seventh on the log on only 13 points, but Chief Santos are 11th on only five points.
Prediction: Oshakati City 2 Chief Santos 0