Carlos Kambaekwa
8 May 2008
Windhoek — MTC Namibia Premiership log leaders Oshikandela Ramblers retained their slender lead at the top of the country's elite league following a 1-all stalemate against 3rd placed Orlando Pirates in an ill-tempered match at the Khomasdal Stadium, last night.
Pirates started like a house on fire and had the Ramblers rearguard with their backs to the wall in the opening minutes, but it was the visitors who threatened to score first when veteran striker John Samson intercepted a reckless clearance in the 6th minute.
However, the Sierra Leone's import was pulled down in rugby style by the Ghosts' captain Eric Oaseb, as he advanced forward with the goal at his mercy.
The towering defender could only count his lucky stars after FIFA accredited referee Mathew Katjimune, who otherwise had a very good game, opted for a caution rather than giving him marching orders.
The Buccaneers controlled the proceedings in a crowded midfield, but their efforts were easily thwarted by some intelligent play from Ramblers' centre back Donnelly Nel who had an outstanding match in the heart of the Rammies defence.
While Pirates created the better chances in the opening half - the Tunchel Street Boys enjoyed a lion's share of ball possession with most of the decisions going their way - but Ramblers' dealings with set pieces resembled a bunch of school boys.
Brave Warriors' strong running defender Jeremiah "Bullfrog" Baisako was a constant thorn in the flesh of the Ghosts' rearguard with his dangerous forays from the left flank.
The Ghosts were awarded a free kick in an inviting position but Botswana import Steven Maposa ballooned the ball well over the crossbar.
At the other end, Ramblers' enterprising midfielder Hans Witbooi tested Athiel Mbaha in Pirates' goal with a long-range grass cutter but the Brave Warriors net-minder was equal to the task.
Riaan Cloete combined well with Klaas Blom in the middle of the park and gave the heavily laden Ramblers midfield some torrid moments with some slick passing.
Pirates hauled off Maposa in place of his former Blue Waters' team mate, Paulus "Wire" Shipanga, minutes before the changeover and the former Bidvest Wits University striker immediately announced his arrival with a cleverly executed lobbed ball which flew inches over the crossbar.
With halftime approaching, Gerry Keister silenced the noisy Pirates' supporters with a well-measured lobbed goal over the head of Mbaha in the 40th minute after some good work by Nelson "Dicky" Akwenye down the right wing.
Shortly afterwards, Pirates were almost back on level terms when pint-sized midfielder Riaan Cloete delivered a dangerous free kick into the Ramblers danger zone with Andries Kanyemba well at sea but the lanky goalkeeper recovered in time to tap the ball away for a corner kick.
It took Pirates just two minutes after the break to draw level through a close range goal by the ever-alert Klaas Blom (1-1).
Ramblers responded by replacing goal scorer Keister with the club's leading goal-poacher Pineas "Heel Extension" Jacobs, and the league's top scorer immediately made his presence felt with some telling runs into the box.
John had a clear chance to put Ramblers ahead, but for some strange reason the usually reliable striker directed his shot into the skies from one meter out.
Pirates were reduced to ten men when defender and skipper Eric Aoseb fell foul of the referee's crime sheet for a second bookable offence after a dangerous tackle on Baisako.
Jacobs missed a glorious opportunity to extend his goal tally when the quicksilver striker shot over the cross bar with the net begging following some good work by Akwenye.
Sensing victory, Ramblers threw more bodies upfront in a desperate search for the elusive winning goal and midfield workhorse Bernadine Mbilizi almost got his name on the score sheet when he beat a limping Mbaha to a loose ball but he directed his shot against the side net from an acute angle.
Action swung from end to end and Pirates had their fair share of clean-cut chances with Cloete shooting tamely at Kanyemba with the goal at his mercy.
The teams were back on level terms again in terms of playing personnel after Ramblers' captain Michael "Dolam Tower" Pienaar, followed in the footsteps of his Pirates' counterpart.
The towering defender was involved in an off the ball fracas after he floored Pirates' defender Steven Goaxab with an elbow - and Katjimune had little hesitation to abbreviate his participation in the ill-tempered match.
Katjimune had his hands full as he tried to fuse off tempers, and in the process booked 8 players from Ramblers and 3 from Pirates, including two red cards.
The result left the teams exactly where they were before last night's top of the table clash with Ramblers stuck in first spot on 30 points while Pirates are still perched in 3rd place - 3 points adrift of the log leaders.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 New Era. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
