Survival of the fittest

The battle for survival in the Southern Stream First Division (SSFD) will reach a crescendo tomorrow with four teams desperately trying to avoid relegation. While Desert Rollers have already been consigned to the lower ranks, Windhoek United, Spartans, Ramblers and Bee Bob Brothers are all at risk of joining the team in being axed from Namibia’s second-tier league. Just two points separate the four teams. United and Brothers are currently on 18, Spartans on 19 and Ramblers on 20. Prior to the weekend’s fixtures, Windhoek United are in the most precarious situation as their goal difference ranks them 11th, which is the other automatic relegation spot. As it is, their task is made quite complicated as they face their city rivals Kaizen FC, who have ambitions of winning the SSFD. This means that they are not likely to get any favours. A victory for United, though, will see them safe from relegation, regardless of what happens elsewhere. That is because Spartans and Ramblers will face off. Thus, whoever wins the Spartans v Ramblers fixture will maintain their place in the SSFD, while the other will be overtaken should United win. A loss for Ramblers – and a win for United – will leave the Pionierspark club looking to see if Bee Bob Brothers win against Flamingos. If the Mariental side succeed in getting the three points, then Ramblers will be relegated. One point A draw for Ramblers, though, will see the team safe from relegation as they will maintain their lead over Spartans. That outcome puts Ramblers on 21 points while Spartans will have 20. Bee Bob Brothers and Windhoek United would then also be on 21 should they win. What makes the relegation battle ever so interesting is that Bee Bob Brothers are also facing the title-chasing Flamingos, who hail from Rehoboth and not Mariental as previously reported. The Rehoboth team lead the SSFD on 42 points, two ahead of Kaizen and Try Again. With five teams mathematically still capable of winning the SSFD and four fighting against relegation, it means only three teams have effectively nothing to play for tomorrow. Desert Rollers, who have already been relegated, are one of those teams. They are set to play Young African, who have an outside chance of reaching the lofty heights of the Namibia Premier League (NPL). Okahandja-based Spoilers, who host fifth-placed Blue Boys, too have nothing to play for as they are safe from relegation but are not in contention for promotion either. Drastic change That will change next season, the team’s coach Melchior ‘Boy-Boy’ Mokhatu vowed last weekend. “If I can keep this squad together, then for sure I’ll be challenging for promotion,” he told Namibian Sun following Spoilers’ 1-0 win over Kaizen last Saturday. Having battled against relegation for two consecutive seasons, Spoilers sprung an impressive run of five wins from six games together to seal their SSFD place this term. Asked why this run of results only came towards the end of the season, Mokhatu explained that it had all to do with the style of play he had implemented at the start of the campaign. “The players are only now starting to understand the system I wanted them to play. But now that they do, you can see the results and if we keep them together, the NPL will not be far,” he said. Young Brazilians, who are sixth on the log, also have nothing but pride to play for when they host Try Again in Karasburg. The winner of the SSFD will join Rundu Chiefs, who easily claimed honours in the North East First Division, in getting promotion to the elite league. Action in the North West league will continue this weekend with Young Chiefs in the driving seat. First Division Fixtures Southern Stream Legare Stadium 11:00 Young African v Desert Rollers Ramblers Stadium 11:00 Spartans v Ramblers Mariental Stadium 11:00 Bee Bob Brothers v Flamingos SKW Stadium 11:00 Windhoek United v Kaizen Karasburg Stadium 11:00 Young Brazilians v Try Again Nau-Aib Stadium 11:00 Spoilers v Blue Boys North West Saturday, April 18 Etosha Poort Stadium 10:00 Golden Bees v Onambula United Sunday, April 19 Unam Ogongo Stadium 15:00 Unam Ogongo v Onambula United Mokati Stadium 15:00 African Lions v Eleven Warriors 17:00 Life Fighters v Black Africa Warriors Oshikuku Stadium 15:00 Young Stars v Young Chiefs Uukwangula Stadium 15:00 Golden Bigs v KK Palace WINDHOEK-HECTOR MAWONGA