• Football

Gunners early pace setters

• 12 Hours Ago

After beating defending champions African Stars, Mighty Gunners are now three points clear at the top of the table and showing promising signs early in the top-flight season.

The signs of a team ready to give their opponents a torrid time are clear, but can the men in uniform hold on to their slender advantage at the top of the table?

With a statement 2-0 victory over African Stars in Otjiwarongo and another convincing 4-0 win against last season’s third-placed finishers, Khomas Nampol, it has been a dream start for coach Leonard Nambandi.

Gunners have played five matches this season, winning four and dropping points only once. The fact that they have already scored 10 goals while conceding just one has fuelled growing optimism among their supporters.

In a season of double headers, where a single weekend can propel a club from bottom to top, Nambandi remains cautious.

“It is too early for us to start thinking too far ahead, but I must say it has been a good start. We have already beaten some of the top teams in the league, including the champions,” he said.

“We are, however, not getting ahead of ourselves because the season is a marathon, and we just have to keep fighting.”

African Stars dropped to second place following their defeat to Gunners on Saturday and a 0-0 draw against newly promoted Life Fighters on Sunday. The champions are level on 10 points with third-placed KK Palace, who experienced mixed fortunes over the weekend, beating Blue Waters 2-0 before losing 0-2 to Eleven Arrows.

Okahandja United will also be pleased with their current position heading into the international break. They beat Julinho Athletic 1-0 away from home before playing to a 1-1 draw against Rundu Chiefs on Sunday. The Okahandja side now sits just two points behind Stars and Palace, and five adrift of the log leaders.

Unam, Eeshoke Chula Chula, Bucks Buccaneers, Eleven Arrows and Khomas Nampol all trail closely behind Okahandja United with seven points apiece. FC Ongos and Young African occupy 10th and 11th place respectively, while Blue Waters and Rundu Chiefs sit 12th and 13th.



Alarm bells ringing

The relegation zone currently hosts three clubs that have each collected just one point so far. Julinho Athletic (14th) and Tigers (15th) find themselves in unfamiliar territory, without a single win from the four matches they have played. Life Fighters, who are also yet to register a victory this season, are in a worrying position despite managing a draw against African Stars on Sunday.



League top scorers

Munyeka Mashiku (4):

Mighty Gunners

Michael Bwwebwe Jonas (3) :

Chula Chula

Derl Goagoseb (3):

Rundu Chiefs

Mbakondja Tjahikika (3):

African Stars