Clubs strengthen squads

Top clubs in the Namibia Premier League (NPL) are strengthening their teams through the transfer market ahead of the second leg of the 2015/16 season. The second leg of the 2015/16 NPL season is scheduled to start on January 23. At the end of the first leg, Katutura-based outfit Tigers were at the top of the log with 37 points, while Black Africa - who have won the league 10 times since its inception - were second with 31 points. Orlando Pirates ended the first leg on 28 points. The 2014/15 NPL season winners and current defending champions, African Stars, ended the first leg in fourth position with 23 points from 15 games. Speaking to Nampa, Tigers head coach Brian Isaacs said his team was up for the challenge and working tirelessly to maintain their consistency and good run of games after picking up 37 points from a possible 45 in the first round of games.“We are very privileged to be in the position we are in at the moment because at the beginning of the season nobody gave us a chance, so the team needs to be consistent and make sure we lose fewer games and, if possible, not lose at all. “The players need to continue showing technical discipline on and off the pitch and maintain our momentum and high level of competitiveness,” said Isaacs. He added that with the league being far from over, he added new players to his squad to strengthen the team. The new players will be announced in due course. Echoing the words of Isaacs was Black Africa (BA) coach Woody Jacobs, who said it was premature to pick the favourites to win the league. “There are great teams in the league so we cannot be just concentrating on Tigers. Our focus is solely on ourselves in making sure that we pick up the maximum points. “We have started with training and the boys are showing new vigour and energy. Also, we have not added new members to our squad because most of the players are contracted with other teams and teams are not willing to sell,” said Jacobs. The president of Rehoboth-based and relegation-threatened Flamingo FC, Alex Strauss, is eager to turn the tables and avoid relegation at the end of the season. “We are looking to strengthen our team in certain areas by adding new players. We are positive that we will get out of the relegation zone come the end of the season,” said Strauss. Flamingo FC are second from bottom in the log standings with 15 points. NAMPA