Twists and turns in NPFL round 23
Football
African Stars FC and, surprisingly, the bottom clubs in the relegation zone produced impressive performances on Sunday.
The race for the title of the Debmarine Namibia Football Premier League (NPFL) continues to take twists and turns, with African Stars regaining the top spot after Sunday’s matches.At the bottom of the standings things are equally tense as the relegation-threatened teams have suddenly begun to add some points.
Mathematically nothing has been cast in stone yet and the league continues to gear up for a grand finish.
Reigning title holders African Stars beat Julinho Sporting 2-0 on Saturday, before beating Okakarara Young Warriors 2-1 on Sunday.
Stars coach Ronnie Kanalelo was reluctant to allow complacency despite the team’s dominance in both matches played at Okahandja.
“It was a good weekend, but I must say the next matches will be crucial.
“There will be a race between us (the top three) as well as Mighty Gunners and Chula Chula,” Kanalelo said.
Their weekend results have enable the defending champions to regain the top spot with 50 points.
Ongos FC, who were on top for the past two weekends, dropped to second place after a less than productive weekend.
Ongos lost 1-0 to Mighty Gunners on Friday and held by Eeshoke Chula Chula 2-2 on Sunday.
Moses Shidolo’s brace for the visitors from the north, including an outrageous 22-metre free-kick, cancelled out Ongos’ goals by Simon Elago and Nikodemus Haikali.
This meant Ongos finished the weekend on 46 points, with one game in hand.
Ongos coach Agnus Chabala Elemu said dropping points this weekend was disappointing for them.
“Teams are coming to play us with all they have, because we were on top.
“We have to bounce back and make sure we get maximum points this coming weekend.”
Blue Waters FC, who recently moved out of the top four, had a horror performance in front of their home crowd on Sunday.
The Walvis Bay club started the round with a 3-1 victory over Young Brazilians, but lost 3-0 to Khomas Nampol on Sunday.
Khomas Nampol FC themselves bounced back from a bad patch and managed four points last weekend.
The Police team drew 1-1 with Okahandja United on Saturday, before demolishing Blue Waters 3-0 the next day, thanks to strikes by Terry Uiseb, Rewaldo Prins and George Frans.
The results consolidates Khomas Nampol’s third position, five points behind the log leaders.
Okahandja United came into the weekend determined to move into the top four and they did that by holding Khomas Nampol to a draw and beating Young Brazilians 3-2.
MID-TABLE DOGFIGHT
In the bottom half of the table teams also made sure that not all hope is lost as their fight for survival continues.
Life Fighters FC recorded four points with an impressive 3-0 win over Tigers FC before playing to a goalless draw against Civics.
The Otjiwarongo-based club remain rooted at the bottom of the table, but are just four points behind Julinho who sits above the relegation zone on 20 points.
“This was a better weekend for us, because we gained four points and boosted our survival chances, but we are not out of danger yet,” Life Fighters coach George Ochurub said.
Orlando Pirates and Okakarara Young Warriors, who also find themselves in the drop zone, have the same points total as Julinho.
Pirates’ bid for survival gained momentum after they gained four points last weekend.
The team was held 0-0 by Okakarara Young Warriors on Saturday, but beat struggling Julinho 2-0 on Sunday.
Most of the teams on the log have less than eight matches remaining as the season approaches its final stretch.