Stars mastering strong starts

Tigers score four
African Stars football club's strategy of trying to put games to bed in the first half has worked successfully on many occasions, while Tigers FC turned to experience in a bid to revive their season.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
African Stars coach Marvin Mbakera has commended the team's players for starting the game stronger in the first half.

This is after ‘The Reds’ put three past Orlando Pirates on Saturday in front of a fully-packed Unam Stadium.

"In the first half, we wanted to do the business because you could see that the energy was there, but after we scored the goals, we had to manage the match well.

"This is our philosophy in all the games because you need to do the business in the first half because it gives you the momentum.

"I think the boys started the match very well, and we should praise them for that," Mbakera said.



Bad play

Stars took the lead through Dynamo Fredericks before Willy Stephanus scored the second for the away side.

Edmund Kambanda also headed home from close range to give the Stars an unusable lead before half-time.

This meant African Stars had the luxury to sit back and invite Orlando Pirates to come at them.

Pirates pulled one goal back after a sloppy defensive display from the Stars backline.

Mbakera expressed dismay over the goal African Stars conceded in the process.

"I am really unhappy with the way we conceded the goal. It is unacceptable, and we have to work on that," Mbakera fumed.



Tigers improve

Meanwhile, Tigers football club coach Nahoto Mekondjo said he was pleased with the way his side played against Young Brazilians FC.

Tigers' Absalom IImbondi scored a brace, while strikers Tangeni Shipahu and Itamunua Keimuine scored the other two goals as the Katutura-based outfit beat the team from Karasburg 4-1.

"This was a solid performance from the team, and I am happy with the way they played.

"We brought in a few signings with the aim of rescuing the situation because we had a difficult time," the coach said.



Teamwork lacking

Young Brazilians coach Tolla Julius said that things have been difficult for his team because players do not stay together anymore.

"We have been trying our best to keep the players together, but that has proven impossible, and that is why the team appears disjointed at the moment.

"Some players stay in the other smaller towns or in Mariental or Keetmanshoop, and they only come through to play.

"We will, however, do our best to make sure we avoid relegation this season," Julius said.



Debmarine Namibia Premiership results on Saturday:



Citizens 0-4 Black Africa

Eleven Arrows 2-2 Life Fighters

Tigers 4-1 Young Brazilians

Mighty Gunners 2-3 Tura Magic

Okahandja United 0-0 Unam FC

Blue Waters 2-0 Julinho Sporting

Orlando Pirates 1-3 African Stars

Civics 2-3 Young African