Nekundi: Hotshot scorer
African Stars Panduleni Nekundi is the current top goal scorer in the Namibia Premier League after he opened the season in style, scoring eight goals in seven matches.
The race for the Golden Boot is well and truly on as Namibia Premier League (NPL) strikers have often come under a lot of criticism for their poor finishing in front of goal.
Nekundi, however, has no problem with finding the net as he leads the pack with his goals, a tally he wants to increase with the more matches he plays, as he has already missed two matches due to an ankle injury he has picked up.
The 29-year-old Oranjemund-born player played for Unam and Tigers before moving to Stars, and said that the result of his goals are due to the fact that he enjoys himself on the field and does not put a lot of pressure on himself to impress. He said he works hard in his team as nobody wants to be seen as a weak link.
“We believe in ourselves and in each other. We have great quality and always give our best as there is a strong culture of winning at the club.”
He said what sets him apart from other forwards is the fact that he is a humble student of the game. “I always want to improve and my success is aided by the fact that my coach Bobby Samaria pushes me to always do better.
“Our focus is obviously to win the league - that is my wish for my team. We need to be undefeated if we want to achieve that goal,” Nekundi said.
He has four caps for the Brave Warriors and said that he would someday like to play, for at least a season, in the South African premier league as it is widely broadcasted and marketed in Africa.
“Facilities are great and my talent would be exposed if I joined a team there,” he said.
Pat-Nevin Uanivi, Stars captain, said Nekundi is an important player for their system of play.
“He is a full packet and contributes immensely to the team. He is a team player and I am proud to have him as a teammate.”
He further said that Nekundi's injury is still healing.
“Even though he played against Black Africa on Tuesday, he is still recovering from injury but in due time, he will increase his goal scoring tally,” he said.
Other scorers hot on his heels are Itamunua Keimuine of Tura Magic with seven goals, Useb Kleophas from Life Fighters with six, and Hashipala Marius Tangeni of Blue Waters and Emilio Martin of Black Africa, with five each.
Nekundi also had an impressive game on Tuesday in the derby against Black Africa, even though the score ended with no goals from both teams. “Expectations are high and it makes the result seem bad but it's not. We still have more games,” he said.
Round 13 of the premier league starts tonight as Tigers face Tura Magic at Sam Nujoma Stadium at 20:00. Advance tickets are available at NFA Football House for N$30, and N$50 at the stadium.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Nekundi, however, has no problem with finding the net as he leads the pack with his goals, a tally he wants to increase with the more matches he plays, as he has already missed two matches due to an ankle injury he has picked up.
The 29-year-old Oranjemund-born player played for Unam and Tigers before moving to Stars, and said that the result of his goals are due to the fact that he enjoys himself on the field and does not put a lot of pressure on himself to impress. He said he works hard in his team as nobody wants to be seen as a weak link.
“We believe in ourselves and in each other. We have great quality and always give our best as there is a strong culture of winning at the club.”
He said what sets him apart from other forwards is the fact that he is a humble student of the game. “I always want to improve and my success is aided by the fact that my coach Bobby Samaria pushes me to always do better.
“Our focus is obviously to win the league - that is my wish for my team. We need to be undefeated if we want to achieve that goal,” Nekundi said.
He has four caps for the Brave Warriors and said that he would someday like to play, for at least a season, in the South African premier league as it is widely broadcasted and marketed in Africa.
“Facilities are great and my talent would be exposed if I joined a team there,” he said.
Pat-Nevin Uanivi, Stars captain, said Nekundi is an important player for their system of play.
“He is a full packet and contributes immensely to the team. He is a team player and I am proud to have him as a teammate.”
He further said that Nekundi's injury is still healing.
“Even though he played against Black Africa on Tuesday, he is still recovering from injury but in due time, he will increase his goal scoring tally,” he said.
Other scorers hot on his heels are Itamunua Keimuine of Tura Magic with seven goals, Useb Kleophas from Life Fighters with six, and Hashipala Marius Tangeni of Blue Waters and Emilio Martin of Black Africa, with five each.
Nekundi also had an impressive game on Tuesday in the derby against Black Africa, even though the score ended with no goals from both teams. “Expectations are high and it makes the result seem bad but it's not. We still have more games,” he said.
Round 13 of the premier league starts tonight as Tigers face Tura Magic at Sam Nujoma Stadium at 20:00. Advance tickets are available at NFA Football House for N$30, and N$50 at the stadium.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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