Shocks and missed chances as NPFL returns
Football
The Debmarine Namibia Premier Football League's 2024-2025 season kicked off in style last weekend, delivering exciting matches, surprising results, and strong performances from newly promoted teams.FC Ongos 1–1 Tigers FC
FC Ongos, filled with ambition after their second-place finish last season behind African Stars, opened their campaign with a hard-fought draw against Tigers FC.
Simon Elago put Ongos in the lead, but a late equaliser by Tigers defender Kennedy Amutenya ensured both teams shared the points.
After the match, Amutenya expressed his delight: "Glad to get the goal. Coach said we should keep pushing, and eventually, the goal came. We’re hungry and eager to get going, really. We have a few new faces, but the same drive."
Ongos head coach Mervin Mbakera reflected on missed opportunities:
“We had numerous chances to win this game and we could have managed the last three minutes better, but credit to Tigers, they didn’t give up and got their goal. We have to learn from this experience, going forward.”
Cuca Tops FC 1–0 Julinho Sporting FC
Dubbed the “Rundu Derby”, newly promoted Cuca Tops FC announced their arrival in the top flight with a narrow 1–0 victory over Julinho Sporting FC. The game’s only goal came from new signing Abeldinho Nyala, who joined from Rundu Chiefs FC.
Blue Waters 0–0 Blue Boys
Another closely contested derby between Blue Waters and Swakopmund’s newly promoted Blue Boys ended in a goalless stalemate.
Blue Boys missed a crucial penalty in the 80th minute, leaving coach Ali Akan to reflect on the result: “I think the game was 50/50. The boys really stepped up in their first match in the league, and we got a crucial point against a good team. We look forward to our next one.”
Young Brazilians 2–2 Khomas Nampol
The most action-packed game of the weekend saw Young Brazilians and Khomas Nampol share the spoils in a 2–2 draw. Nguzu Salazar opened the scoring with an early penalty for Nampol, but Vincentius Jobs equalised for Brazilians in the 36th minute. Jana Vries restored Nampol’s lead before A. Iilonga secured a second equaliser for Brazilians in a thrilling encounter.
Eeshoke Chula Chula 0–0 KK Palace
In another intense derby clash, newly promoted Eeshoke Chula Chula battled to a goalless draw against KK Palace at the Omulunga Stadium.
Both sides showed defensive resilience, ensuring they started their campaigns with a point.
Promising start for New Teams
All three newly promoted sides – Cuca Tops FC, Blue Boys, and Eeshoke Chula Chula – earned positive results in their opening matches, making an impressive debut in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership.
Defending champions African Stars will have to wait for opener after their match against Young African was postponed.
With the season off to a thrilling start, fans can look forward to even more action in the coming weeks as teams battle for supremacy in Namibia’s top football league.