FC Ongos go top of the log 

FC Ongos went to the top of the Debmarine Namibia Premiership for the first time in four months after collecting maximum points over the weekend. African Stars are a point behind in second place, but former leaders Khomas Nampol dropped down to third position after suffering two defeats.

On Friday night Ongos gained sweet revenge for their 3-0 defeat to Nampol in the first round, when they beat them by the same score, with Simon Elago scoring a brace and Stanley Ndjavera one goal. 

On Sunday they followed that up with another impressive 3-0 victory against Young Brazilians, with Malakia Tomas and Davison Sinyinza scoring, while the third was a Brazilians own goal. 

That put Ongos on top of the log on 45 points for the first time since 5 November, and with a match in hand on their title rivals they are now well placed to make a strong challenge for the title. 

Ongos coach Agnus Elemu said they are aiming for maximum points with each game. 

“We knew that it would be a scrappy game after we played Khomas Nampol where the intensity was very high and the boys gave their all. So we expected a scrappy start against Brazilians but what we want to go forward and we are aiming for maximum points with each game,” he said. 

“It’s been a successful weekend thanks to all those people who are part of this ship of Ongos Football Club, from the chairman, the sponsors, the sport director, my technical team working very hard together, and my players – we are doing awesome things and this is teamwork because this is a big ship that we steering,” he added, saying that they have their sights on winning the title. 

“Yes we are in contention to win the league title, but as I always preach. We will just take it game by game and then we will see where we finish.”

Nampol, meanwhile, had a disappointing weekend, also losing 2-0 to Young African at Gobabis on Sunday to drop down to third position and are now four points behind Ongos. 

African Stars remained second on the log, one point behind FC Ongos, after drawing 0-0 to Civics on Saturday and beating Tigers 2-0 on Sunday. 

Under new coach Ronnie Kanalelo they drew their opening match against a determined Civics side, but then got back to winning ways against their former coach Mervin Mbakera, now in charge of Tigers. 

‘Let’s leave the past behind’ – Mbakera

Mbakera, who drew his opening match against Orlando Pirates on Saturday, said he did not want to dwell on the past after his sudden dismissal by Stars.

“Let’s leave the past behind, I really don’t want to dwell on that situation, it’s a very painful one, but now there’s a new future, theres a new challenge a new assignment with Tigers, which I have to start focussing on. God said he knows the plans that he has for us, and they are not plans to fail us but to prosper us, so we keep the faith in the almighty and we move on,” he said. 

“This is a bunch of quality players here at Tigers so we just need to work on certain details and make sure that we climb the table as soon as possible, because we are in a congested area and we want to get out of there,” he added. 

Tigers are now 10th on the log and one of four teams on 29 points. The others are Unam, who beat Okakarara Young Warriors 1-0, and Mighty Gunners and Blue Waters who lost to Okahandja United and Eeshoke Chula Chula respectively. 

Chula Chula and Okahandja, meanwhile, moved up to fourth and fifth place respectively on 32 points each. 

The relegation battle is also intensifying with all three the bottom teams collecting points over the weekend. Civics and Orlando Pirates each collected two points after two draws, while Life Fighters drew 1-1 against Julinho Sporting. Civics are now fourth from bottom on 19 points, with Okakarara Young Warriors also on 19, Pirates on 16 and Life Fighters on 12 points. 

Civics coach Jerry Zimmer was upbeat after their 0-0 draw against Pirates on Sunday, saying that they will definitely avoid the relegation axe. 

“For me it was a fine weekend, at least we got two points against two strong opponents. We could even have beaten Stars on Saturday, but that’s football and I’m proud of my boys. We will definitely stay in the premier league I know it and I know how to do it,” he said.