Africa-Press – Namibia. LIFE Fighters went to the top of the Debmarine Namibia Premiership log after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Julinho Sporting at Otjiwarongo on Saturday.
If Musiinga got the winner on 37 minutes when he received a great through-ball from Lawrence Doeseb after a quick counter-attack by Irwin Vatjie.
Fighters managed to withstand some late pressure by Julinho to hold on for the victory that put them on top of the log on 15 points from seven matches.
Blue Waters, who were not in action over the weekend, are a point behind in second place, although they have a match in hand on Fighters, while African Stars moved up three places to third on the log after a resounding 3-1 victory against Young Brazilians at Keetmanshoop.
Stars opened their account on 15 minutes when they won a penalty after a foul on Manaze Salazar and Willy Stephanus converted the spot kick to put them 1-0 ahead.
More chances came Stars’ way as they dominated possession and their pressure finally paid off when Salazar found the net just before halftime.
Lucky Heita made it 3-0 midway through the second half before Owen Oosthuizen pulled back a late consolation goal for Young Brazilians.
Stars’ coach Mervin Mbakera said it was a well deserved victory.
“We dominated the match and they only had one shot on target in the whole first half. They got more of the ball in the final quarter, but besides conceding a goal, we dealt with the pressure well till the final whistle,” he said.
“Their goalie Charles Uirab had a great match he made at least five or six point blank saves, while Salazar also hit the crossbar twice,” he added.
The win saw Stars retaining their unbeaten status as they have now won four and drawn one of their five matches to date, and with two matches in hand on Life Fighters they are well-placed in the title race.
Okahandja United who were not in action are fourth on 13 points, while Civics moved up to fifth position after a resounding 4-0 victory against Citizens at the Khomasdal Stadium.
Midfielder Brandon Goagoseb opened the scoring after a piece of individual brilliance when he beat several defenders, while Quinton Khuruseb made it 2-0 after combining well with his fellow
Civics maintained the tempo after the break and went 3-0 up when Citizens conceded an own goal under pressure from a corner and Vitapi Ngaruka made it 4-0 when he headed in from a corner.
Civics aiming for top three
The win saw Civics moving above Mighty Gunners and Julinho Sporting on goal difference, and their coach Jerry Zimmer said he was very happy with the result.
“We are now in the top five on the log and are well-placed to make a good challenge in the second half of the season. Till now the season has been a bit stop-start but if we can get our momentum going I still believe that we can finish in the top three,” he said.
Orlando Pirates moved up to eighth position on 10 points after picking up a point in a 1-1 draw against Tigers on Friday night.
After Pirates launched several early attacks, Tigers took the lead against the run of play when Mbeya Shamayuko scored from a quick counter-attack just before halftime.
Pirates however equalised midway through the second half when an unmarked Kleopas Useb received a long cross and stabbed in at the near post.
Both teams had more chances with Uri Mooiu hitting the crossbar with a cracking shot, while McCartney Naweseb headed narrowly wide for Pirates.
The result leaves Tigers in 13th position on only five points from their opening seven matches.
Unam, meanwhile, joined Pirates on 10 points after scoring an injury time winner to grab a point in a 2-2 draw against Tura Magic.
Tura Magic took the lead when they won a penalty for a foul and Romeo Kasume coolly converted from the spot after 18 minutes.
Unam however immediately struck back when Vita Punaje headed in from an Aidyn Eiseb freekick barely two minutes later.
Tura Magic stepped up the tempo after the break and after coming close on a few occasions, Junias Theophilus pounced onto a loose ball to put them 2-1 ahead midway through the second half.
Nehemia Ndengu also had a header cleared off the line and Magic were punished for their wastefulness when Punaje stabbed in a loose ball in the box in injury time, to leave Tura Magic in 10th position on the log on eight points.
Young African and Black Africa, meanwhile, shared the spoils in a goalless draw on Thursday, to remain 14th and 15th on the log on five and two points respectively.
The log standing is attached.
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