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Namibia: Fireworks Expected Tonight
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The Namibian (Windhoek)
16 April 2008
Posted to the web 16 April 2008
Windhoek
Fireworks can be expected at the Khomasdal Stadium tonight when Black Africa take on Civics in a crucial league encounter for both teams.
Black Africa are currently fourth on the log, six points behind log leaders Ramblers, but with a game in hand. Civics, who are sixth, seven points off the pace, will have to win the match if they want to have any chance of retaining their title.
But Civics are struggling with injuries and national call-ups to their players which have left them with a depleted squad. National Under-17 players Eslin Kamuhanga and Solomon Henock, who starred for Namibia in their 5-0 victory against Lesotho on Saturday, have been called up to the national Under-19 team, which takes on Botswana in an African qualifier on Friday. Besides that, Civics already have two more players - striker Nelson Angula and goalkeeper Leroy Losper in the Under-19 squad.
Civics' team manager Paul Stramis was at his wits' end regarding the availability of players and said he would ask the NFA for permission to release some players from the national U19 squad.
"I don't know if we can field a full team.
Both our goalies, Esau Tjiuoro and Erwin Ofouyn, are unavailable due to injury, so I hope to get Leroy Losper for the match, otherwise we won't have a goalie," he said.
Civics are also struggling with several other injuries, but Stramis said they would provide a tough fight for Black Africa.
"Black Africa still have a good chance to win the league, which will serve as a big motivation to them and we expect they will go all out for victory.
We expect a very tough match but we will fight all the way for a victory as well.
We are the defending champions and we will defend our title till the end," he said.
Despite their injuries, Civics will still have a strong squad to call on.
National players Jamu Ngatjizeko, Brian Brendell and Victor Helu have been in fine form in midfield, as has defender Sedekia Haukambe and striker Floris Diergaardt.
With the injured Jerry Matik an uncertain starter, they could, however be a bit thin in defence and Jamu Ngatjizeko might start the match as a central defender.
BA RARING TO GO Black Africa don't have similar problems and except for veteran Lollo Goraseb, they have a full-strength team at their disposal.
Their coach Smithley Engelbrecht said they were well prepared and confident of winning the match.
"We are looking forward to the match.
In our first-round encounter, we had the upper hand and won the match 1-0 so I am confident we can do it again," he said.
"The league is now wide open and any team who can capitalise on their chances can still win the league.
We have a full squad to choose from, except for Lolo, who has been involved in the Kicking out Aids project at the coast," he said.
Engelbrecht said he still had not received feedback from the Namibia Premier League regarding their outstanding match against African Stars, but felt that the match should be replayed.
"As far as Black Africa is concerned, we feel that the match has to be replayed, but we have not received an official answer from the NPL yet," he said.
Black Africa will be looking to strikers Jerome Louis and Donovan Swartz for some inspiration, while midfielder Bryan Bantam has also been in great form lately.
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www.namibiasport.com.na
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