All eyes on Chula and Stars
There are now only four matches left to play in the Namibia Premier Football League, and African Stars are ahead of their rivals by just one point.
The defending champions can secure a fourth consecutive title if they win all four of their remaining matches this season.
Their rivals, Eeshoke Chula Chula, however believe they still have a say in where the title will go this season.
The two teams are tit for tat and toe to toe as the 2025/26 season approaches its end.
Stars have 50 points on the log, while Chula Chula are breathing down their necks with 49 points.
There is no doubt that the season finale already promises to produce drama and stories that will be told long after this campaign has concluded.
The exciting part is that the two teams still have a match to play against each other, which could feel like a cup final.
King Kauluma Palace will also have a say in the title race and could ironically help their northern rivals win the league if they beat African Stars that weekend.
All eyes will be on the Oshakati Independence Stadium that weekend when the three teams battle.
The anticipated fixtures are next on the calendar and could be played in early April after the international football break.
Eeshoke Chula Chula FC coach John Sikerete remains buoyant and optimistic after his team collected two points in Windhoek this past weekend.
They played to a 0-0 draw against Ongos FC on Saturday before holding Unam FC to a 1-1 draw in Windhoek.
The team may have wanted to collect maximum points, but Sikerete is content that his side did not lose a match, keeping their rivals in sight.
“Coming to Windhoek and collecting two points in these crucial encounters was very important for us.
“Yes, we may have wanted to win the matches, but it was not easy playing away from home.
“The good thing is that we have African Stars coming to Oshakati next, and I think that weekend will determine everything,” Sikerete said.
The northern team has so far won 14 of their 26 matches, while dropping points on seven occasions.
Chula Chula have lost just five matches this season, scoring a total of 31 goals while conceding 18.
The northern football giants’ fans are beginning to dream and believe that a league title is possible.
Their last two matches will be against Okahandja United and Bucks Buccaneers.
African Stars FC, on the other hand, have been shrouded by a lack of consistency in their last few matches.
The ‘Reds’ collected four points from a possible six this past weekend following their 1-1 draw against Bucks Buccaneers on Friday night before beating Okahandja United 3-1 in Okahandja on Sunday.
The champions will head into their last four matches of the season comforted by the depth and experience in their squad.
Coach Agnus Elemu believes that the title race will go down to the wire after the international break.
“The players know what is at stake and are willing to give it their all in the remaining matches of the season.
“The fact that we are facing Chula Chula after the international break is crucial for us as we prepare for that trip to the north.
“I must say that the fight is on, and we are happy that we at least finished the weekend on top of the Premier League,” coach Elemu said.
African Stars have won 14 of their 26 matches, while dropping points on eight occasions.
The club has lost four matches this season, scoring a total of 39 goals while conceding 17 in the process.
Their last two matches will be against Unam FC and Ongos FC in Windhoek.
The remaining fixtures for Stars and Chula Chula favour the northern side more, given the form their opponents are in.
Ongos FC (44 points) and King Kauluma Palace (41 points) are mathematically still in the title race with four games to play.
Six points for Ongos FC in the next two matches could still rattle the top two teams, provided they drop points when they meet.
Relegation fight
Teams at the bottom of the table are also in dire need of points as the league approaches its end.
Life Fighters (18 points) are last on the log, followed by Tigers (21) and Rundu Chiefs on 25 points.
Mathematically, the three teams still have a fighting chance given the points difference between them and those above them.
Young African (27), Khomas Nampol (28) and Okahandja United on 35 points are all in danger of relegation at the moment.
As things stand, Life Fighters appear to be the first team that could be relegated after the international break unless they stage a remarkable turnaround to salvage their season.
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