Africa-Press – Namibia. African Stars and Khomas Nampol both collected maximum points in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership over the weekend to open up a bit of a gap on the chasing pack.
On Saturday, Stars beat Cuca Tops 3-1 through goals by Jomo Tjiveta, Vitapi Ngaruka and Godwin Eiseb and followed that up with a comprehensive 4-1 win against Julinho Sporting on Sunday, with Mbakondja Tjahikika scoring a brace, and Charles Hambira and Awilo Stephanus one goal each.
That put them at the top of the log on 36 points from 19 matches, but Khomas Nampol are just one point behind after they also collected maximum points over the weekend.
On Saturday, Khomas Nampol made a great comeback to beat FC Ongos 3-1. Simon Elago gave Ongos an early lead from a corner, but Nampol struck back with second half goals by Ngunzu Salazar, Matthias Haufiku and Apollo Hangero to get a valuable win.
On Sunday their striker Ngunzu Salazar scored both goals against Tigers, which put them second on the log, just one point behind Stars on 35 points.
Nampol coach Fortune Eichab said their game plan against Tigers worked out perfectly.
“We always play to win, so we came with a plan against Tigers – we played long balls – if you play long balls against Tigers you unsettle the defence and it’s very difficult for them to contain that. Our second goal came as a result of that – out from the keeper into the box. We trained hard for this and I’m just happy for the players and the fans as well – it’s been a while since we picked up six points, but the teams around us are winning so we need to keep on winning,” he said.
The results put them right back in the title race, but Eichab said they are not concentrating on that at the moment.
“The title race is still wide open, anything can still happen, but we are not concentrating on that, we are only concentrating on our upcoming matches. We have crucial games coming up so we need to check on our games, check on our opponents and prepare well,” he said.
“If we just focus on Stars we will be out of the title race, so we will just focus on ourselves and do what is right for us. If we play the right way we will get results and move in the right direction,” he said.
On Sunday, FC Ongos bounced back with a 1-0 win against Young Brazilians in Keetmanshoop with Simon Elago scoring the winner.
That put them on 33 points, along with Young African, who picked up maximum points after beating Cuca Tops 1-0 and Julinho Sporting 2-0.
Mighty Gunners also moved up to 33 points after collecting four points at home at the Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo.
On Saturday they drew 0-0 against Blue Waters, while they beat Blue Boys 3-1 on Sunday, with Stephanus Petrus, Barnand Horaseb and Edwin Axakhoeb scoring their goals while Christiaan Doeseb replied for Blue Boys.
Unam had a successful weekend on the road after drawing 0-0 against KK Palace and beating Eeshoke Chula Chula 2-1, to move up to sixth position on 30 points.
Tigers beat Young Brazilians 2-1 on Saturday to move up to seventh on 27 points, with Chula Chula also on 27 after they drew 0-0 against Bucks Buccaneers on Saturday.
In other results, Okahandja United beat Blue Boys 2-0, KK Palace and Bucks Buccaneers drew 0-0, and Blue Waters beat Okahandja United 1-0.
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