Will the north finally claim league title?

Eeshoke Chula Chula’s rise to the top of the Namibia Premier Football League table has sparked fresh hope that a northern club could finally end the region’s long wait for another league title.

The northern outfit climbed to the summit after a run of strong results, capitalising on inconsistent performances from defending champions African Stars.

Chula Chula began the weekend four points behind Stars but has since leapfrogged the Windhoek giants to take a one-point lead at the top of the standings.

Their surge has reignited belief that this could be the season a team from northern Namibia lifts the country’s top-flight trophy again.

The last club from the north to win the title was Chiefs Santos of Tsumeb during the 2002-3 season.

Santos remain the only northern team to have won the premiership in the professional era, having claimed two titles overall, with their first triumph coming in 1993.

Windhoek dominance

Since the country’s Independence, the league has largely been dominated by clubs from the Khomas region, particularly those based in Windhoek.

Windhoek teams have claimed the title 23 times.

Black Africa leads the list with 10 championships, followed by African Stars with five. Civics have won three, while Orlando Pirates and Tigers each have two, and Ramblers have lifted the trophy once.

Coastal clubs follow with four titles, all won by Blue Waters of Walvis Bay, while Eleven Arrows also claimed one championship.

Teams from the Otjozondjupa region have won the title twice, with victories recorded by Chelsea of Grootfontein and Liverpool of Okahandja.

Still a long way to go

Despite their current position at the top, Eeshoke Chula Chula head coach John Sikerete believes it is still too early to talk about ending the northern drought.

“There are still many matches to be played, and we are not in a comfortable position yet,” said Sikerete.

“The players just need to focus on the next match while maintaining the belief that we can achieve something big this season.”

Sunday results:

Chula Chula 1-0 Life Fighters

African Stars 1-1 Blue Waters

Rundu Chiefs 1-0 Unam

KK Palace 4-1 Mighty Gunners

Julinho Athletics 0-1 Ongos FC

Khomas Nampol 1-2 Eleven Arrows

Young African 1-2 Okahandja United

Top four (all played 24 matches):

1 Eeshoke Chula Chula (47pts)

2 African Stars (46pts)

3 Ongos Football Club (43pts)

4 King Kauluma Palace (38pts)

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