Namibians help Arrows soar

Relegated Premier Soccer League (PSL) team Golden Arrows have stormed to the top of South Africa’s first division in an attempt to make a quick return to that country’s elite league. The team collected their fifth win of the season on Wednesday when Arrows defeated Baroka FC 4-2 at Chartsworth Stadium in Durban. That win gave the unbeaten Arrows a tally of 19 points after nine matches have been played in the first division. Arrows are home to four Namibian internationals. Left back Freedom Puriza and goalkeeper Maxi Mbaeva signed for the club at the beginning of the season to join defender Chris Katjiukua and midfielder Deon Hotto, who were signed during the previous season. Mbaeva seems to have become the first-choice keeper at the club and started Wednesday’s match. Katjiukua also started against Baroka while Hotto was a second-half substitute. Puriza was part of the match-day squad but did not make it onto the pitch. As it turned out, Wednesday was also the first time the team conceded any goals, with both Mbaeva and Katjiukua helping the team keep clean sheets in the previous eight matches. But Hotto seems to have made the most impact during the midweek game after coming off the bench to inspire the team to victory. The official Golden Arrows website described the winger’s performance as “fiery.” “With speed and ball retention [Hotto] took the ball up a number of times, being able to because of clean passing and possession from his team-mates,” read the match report. Hotto yesterday told Namibian Sun that a determination to make an immediate return to the PSL is what is driving the team’s early form. “We want to get promoted without having to play playoffs at the end of the season,” he said from South Africa. That the team can only do by winning the first division, the player said. While three of the players have been regulars for Arrows, Puriza is still trying to establish his presence at the Durban club. Hotto said it will only be a matter of time before his countryman starts exerting his dominance. “The back line has been doing well and it is difficult to change it. But I’m sure [Puriza] will take his chance when he gets it,” he said. Arrows will play Vasco da Gama, who are fifth on the log, in Cape Town on Sunday before hosting the bottom-placed Maluti FET College on November 8. WINDHOEK-HECTOR MAWONGA