Do-or-die clashes for BA

Black Africa must win both their matches this weekend to ensure they remain in the running for this season’s MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) title. The team will face Unam and Tura Magic at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday and Sunday. They are currently 11 points adrift of Tigers, who were in action last weekend. Despite having played two more games, Tigers remain in first place with 51 points. BA coach Woody Jacobs yesterday told Namibian Sun that they have not stopped believing that they can catch Tigers at the end. The coach hopes it will be possible to catch up by collecting maximum points this weekend while hoping that Tigers slip up elsewhere. “We are well prepared to play them [Unam and Tura Magic] and know what to expect from these weekend matches,” said Jacobs, who won the NPL last season with African Stars. He said that they would be playing as a team and should they reach their target it would be easier for them to be title contenders this season. “Our games this weekend will decide whether we will catch them or not,” he said. “If we collect maximum points, then we have a chance because we have to play them (Tigers) next weekend.” Unam, coached by Brave Warriors assistant coach Ronnie Kanalelo, are in 11th spot of the league with 23 points while Magic are in eighth place with 25 points. But, Jacobs said, “you can’t underestimate them; they can produce good performances as well. “I believe in my players and know what to expect from them when it comes to these matches.” Meanwhile, in other fixtures in the NPL, Young Chiefs, who are yet to lose any match in the second round, will be in Otjiwarongo to confront Mighty Gunners at the Mokati Stadium. Chiefs, also called ‘Amathekies’, are in ninth place with 24 points and have chance of climbing to sixth if they pick up maximum points against Gunners and Citizens. Gunners are seventh with 26 points. Flamingos, who are at the bottom of the league with 16 points, have a chance of moving up a place if they win their two home-ground matches and push Julinho to the last spot. NPL fixtures Saturday, February 20 Sam Nujoma Stadium 14:00 Black Africa v Unam 16:00 Citizens v Rundu Chiefs Mokati Stadium 15:00 Mighty Gunners v Young Chiefs Rehoboth Stadium 15:00 Flamingos v Tura Magic Sunday, February 21 Sam Nujoma Stadium 13:00 Citizens v Young Chiefs 15:00 Black Africa v Tura Magic Mokati Stadium 13:00 Mighty Gunners v Rundu Chiefs Rehoboth Stadium 14:00 Flamingos v Unam LUKAS NAMBALA