Starlile one win away

This weekend African Stars have a brilliant chance of winning the Namibia Premier League (NPL). Stars need just three points to collect the trophy. A win against either Tigers, whom they face on Saturday, or Rebels, their opponents on Sunday, will see Starlile being crowned the 2014/15 NPL champions. Should Stars collect three points, Black Africa’s results –the only team still mathematically able to catch the log leaders – will become irrelevant. Black Africa are set to face Citizens and Civics on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Stars are on top of the NPL log standing with 62 points while BA are on 54. Tura Magic are third on 50 points while Tigers are fourth on 48. Bounce back African Stars had a chance to win a cup and league double, but that dream was shattered when the team lost on penalties to Orlando Pirates in the Bidvest Namibia Cup last weekend. The team’s coach, Woody Jacobs, told Namibian Sun yesterday that the boys will bounce back after that loss. “We will bounce back this weekend because we are playing in a different competition,” he said. “The boys are looking forward to the Tigers match and three points will be enough,” Jacobs said, adding that it will be a tough match as Tigers have ambitions of their own. Stars have lost only three times this season and ironically, two of the losses were against Tigers and Rebels (both 1-0 losses). They hope that history does not repeat itself. Jacobs says they have their eye on glory. “It will be a massive achievement if we win the league,” he said. Winning this season will see Stars claiming their third title, having won the NPL in the 2008/09 and 2009/10 seasons. Success in the league will see them playing in the Standard Bank Super Cup against the winner of the Bidvest Namibia Cup, which will be decided by Tigers and Orlando Pirates on May 30. The Bidvest Cup defending champions will be without the injured duo Eslin Kamuhanga and Meraai Swartbooi. Full NPL Fixture Friday, May 1 Sam Nujoma Stadium 15:00 Black Africa v Citizens Saturday, May 2 Kuisebmond Stadium 12:30 Blue Waters v Benfica 15:00 Eleven Arrows v Touch & Go Mokati Stadium 15:00 Mighty Gunners v Julinho Sporting Independence Stadium 17:00 Orlando Pirates v United Stars Unam Stadium 15:00 Unam FC v Civics Sam Nujoma Stadium 15:00 African Stars v Tigers Sunday, May 3 Kuisebmond Stadium 12:30 Eleven Arrows v Benfica 15:00 Blue Waters v Touch & Go Mokati Stadium 13:00 Mighty Gunners v United Stars Unam Stadium 13:00 Unam FC v Citizens Independence Stadium 13:00 Orlando Pirates v Julinho Sporting 15:00 Black Africa v Civics Sam Nujoma Stadium 13:00 African Stars v Rebels 15:00 Tura Magic v Tigers WINDHOEK-LUKAS NAMBALA