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Namibia: Rammies Face Test of Character
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New Era (Windhoek)
7 May 2008
Posted to the web 7 May 2008
Carlos Kambaekwa
Windhoek
MTC Namibia Premiership log leaders Oshikandela Ramblers will face a real test of character when they visit a fired up Orlando Pirates outfit at the Khomasdal Stadium in Windhoek tonight (19h00).
The Buccaneers have been blowing hot in recent matches which has seen them steadily climbing up the ladder and move within three points of the Pionierspark-based outfit.
Victory for the Ghosts will see them leapfrog Ramblers into first spot on a better goal difference with the same number of points (29) and a mere point ahead of second-placed Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW), who had played a game more than their closest rivals.
Ramblers are currently going through a rough patch following a dip in form that saw the wealthy Pionierspark-based side collecting just one point from a possible six and coaches Tollie van Wyk and Dove Fransman will have to come up with something extraordinary to stop the rampant Buccaneers right in their track.
Pirates have been on a roll and completely demolished an out of sorts African Stars in their last league outing and Ramblers would be better advised to take note of the resurgent Ghosts.
The Ghosts' team manager Mario Carreira is a former Ramblers player and has done quite a few laps around the block when it comes to the ins and outs of domestic football.
"It's a top of the table clash and there is no denying the fact that we are in dire need of collecting the three points at stake tonight if we are to keep our title aspirations alive.
"Besides that, tonight's clash will be a real test of character for our boys because if you really want to win the league title, one must be able to beat the best and this is the ideal opportunity."
The football guru was extremely cautious when quizzed about the prediction of the outcome and said Ramblers need to be treated with some measure of respect as they boast unspeakable continuity in their coaching department.
"Look, they were not going to top the log standings for such an extended run if they were palookas and we should not lose focus that they have already clinched the FNB Christmas Cup and are still in contention for the lucrative MTC NFA Cup - so, they must be doing something right."
Despite Pirates' recent good showing, Carreira remained unmoved and believes the Ghosts go into the match as underdogs.
"We have quite a number of worrisome injuries to key players but we are hopeful the affected players would be given a clean bill of health by our medical team, and if they happen to fail the late fitness test, so be it because the show must go on."
Statistics indicate that the Tunchel Street Boys are so far the most consistent team in the history of Namibia's ever closely contested title race with eight wins, five draws and two defeats. Ironically, those defeats came at the Khomasdal Stadium - tonight's venue for the clash of the titans.
Ramblers will certainly not cherish meeting Pirates at this juncture, and worse still - at a stadium where they have dismally failed to collect a single point in their league campaign so far this season.
The Tunchel Street Boys will be without the services of suspended defender Mahne Martins, who starts his one-match suspension after the stalwart defender's accumulation of four cautions since the start of the current league campaign.
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To compound matters, reliable defender Luther "Beanpole" Kanalelo and leading striker Pineas "Heel Extension" Jacobs are still nursing an assortment of injuries and are both definite non-starters.
They were in the Brave Warriors' initial squad for the preliminary clash against Zimbabwe in the first leg of the maiden edition of the African Nations Championships in Harare last weekend.
However, the pair was withdrawn from the trip to Harare because of nagging injuries and both players have not been able to participate in any physical training ever since.
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