Africa-Press – Namibia. THE MTC Hopsol u19 League is heading for an exciting showdown before the knockout stages at the end of the month.
Following league matches last weekend, several teams are still in the running for the final four semifinal spots.
Ramblers moved to the top of the log on 25 points after beating Swallows 3-1, while Kaizen Football Academy joined them on 25 points after picking up two 1-0 victories against Dobra and Otjiwarongo Secondary School.
They are both virtually certain of qualifying for the knockout stages, but Kasaona Football Academy and Windhoek Gymnasium, who are both on 22 points, can still be caught by several other teams.
Kasaona beat Windhoek Gymnasium 2-1 on Saturday to replace Windhoek Gymnasium in third position, with the latter dropping down to fourth, but they are not safe yet, with fifth-placed Athletic Club Football Academy just behind on 21 points, but with matches in hand.
Even Swallows (17 points), Fortis (14) and Dobra (13), who all have matches in hand, still have a mathematical chance of reaching the semis, although it’s quite unlikely.
In Saturday’s encounter between Ramblers and Swallows, Ramblers took an early lead through Luke van Turah, while second half goals by Torolino Tierspoor and Nelson Akooko sealed their victory. Swallows pulled a late consolation goal back through Deco Gonteb, but it had little bearing on the outcome of the match.
Ramblers coach Russel Parker said it was a good performance by his side.
“We were very good today – we only had eleven players to start with because some of the players came late, but we adjusted quite well. Certain players that haven’t played regularly played today and some players had to play out of position, but I was very happy with all of them and especially with the way they defended,” he said.
“We have one outstanding player in Owen Jagger, who assisted on all three goals, and when you’ve got that little bit of quality up front, as long as you defend well, you can get something out of games and that’s what happened today,” he added.
Swallows defender Simasiku Munyeme said they still had a chance of making the knockout stages.
“We were a bit under-prepared and it was just not a good game for us.
We had a few chances especially in the first half and I think we could have been 3-0 up but we didn’t take our chances and that counted against us. But if we can still pick up a few points, the teams at the top will possibly drop points so I think we still have a chance of making the knockout stages,” he added.
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