Resurgent Bucks face coastal test
Football
Unbeaten in their last five matches, the Buccaneers have climbed away from the relegation zone and are now eyeing mid-table stability.
Bucks Buccaneers will be looking to extend their unbeaten run when they face coastal outfits Blue Boys and Blue Waters this weekend in Windhoek. The club, currently enjoying a resurgence under head coach Ronnie Kanalelo, has gone five matches without defeat - a run the coach credits to improved structure and discipline.
Kanalelo, who took over the reins from Woody Jacobs just last month, has overseen a remarkable turnaround. The Buccaneers now sit nine points clear of the relegation zone, breathing easier after a nervy start to the campaign.
“What I have brought to the club was organisation, because that is important when you do not have the individual quality,” Kanalelo explained. “I think I made sure that the players have structure and they bring their part of individual brilliance. As a team, we want to continue improving and making sure we get to a comfortable position.”
The weekend fixtures offer both opportunity and threat, with Blue Boys fighting to escape relegation and Blue Waters eager to climb the mid-table. For Kanalelo, this is another test of his squad’s mental fortitude and tactical maturity.
Meanwhile, at the top of the table, the title race remains intense. African Stars currently hold a slender three-point advantage and are set to face Eeshoke Chula Chula FC and KK Palace in a pivotal double-header.
Striker Mbakondja Tjahikika, who netted a hat-trick against Young Brazilians last weekend, continues to set the pace in the Golden Boot race with 13 goals. Speaking after the match, Tjahikika revealed: “My target was 15 or 16 goals in the beginning of the season, but with seven games to go, I don’t think 20 is that far - so hopefully I can get there.”
Head coach Bob Mafoso also touched on the magnitude of the upcoming Chula Chula clash, saying: “When I first came here at the airport, people were saying, ‘Oh, you are African Stars. Chula Chula is going to beat you.’ It’s a team I knew of even before I came here. When we went to the North with the chairman, there was still a lot of noise about Chula Chula versus African Stars.”
He added: “We know that is for the fans. It would be nice to see a packed stadium. Of course, we have to push for the points, but now we also have the pleasure to do it for our fans. It’s not going to be easy, but at least we’re going into that game with a bit of a confidence booster after collecting six points this past weekend.”
In the creative department, Willy Stephanus may not be matching his previous goal tallies, but the Stars forward continues to shine. With just six goals, Stephanus has nonetheless provided a league-best 14 assists, underlining his role as the league’s top creator.
Debmarine 2024/25 premier league top goal scorers:
1 Mbakondja Tjahikika African Stars 13
2 Giovanni Kaninab FC Ongos 11
3 Jasper Masialeti Young African 9
4 Nguzu Salazar Chula Chula 8
5 Simon Eddy Elago Young African 7
6 Petrus Stephanus Okahandja United 7
7 Paulus Amutenya UNAM FC 7
Kanalelo, who took over the reins from Woody Jacobs just last month, has overseen a remarkable turnaround. The Buccaneers now sit nine points clear of the relegation zone, breathing easier after a nervy start to the campaign.
“What I have brought to the club was organisation, because that is important when you do not have the individual quality,” Kanalelo explained. “I think I made sure that the players have structure and they bring their part of individual brilliance. As a team, we want to continue improving and making sure we get to a comfortable position.”
The weekend fixtures offer both opportunity and threat, with Blue Boys fighting to escape relegation and Blue Waters eager to climb the mid-table. For Kanalelo, this is another test of his squad’s mental fortitude and tactical maturity.
Meanwhile, at the top of the table, the title race remains intense. African Stars currently hold a slender three-point advantage and are set to face Eeshoke Chula Chula FC and KK Palace in a pivotal double-header.
Striker Mbakondja Tjahikika, who netted a hat-trick against Young Brazilians last weekend, continues to set the pace in the Golden Boot race with 13 goals. Speaking after the match, Tjahikika revealed: “My target was 15 or 16 goals in the beginning of the season, but with seven games to go, I don’t think 20 is that far - so hopefully I can get there.”
Head coach Bob Mafoso also touched on the magnitude of the upcoming Chula Chula clash, saying: “When I first came here at the airport, people were saying, ‘Oh, you are African Stars. Chula Chula is going to beat you.’ It’s a team I knew of even before I came here. When we went to the North with the chairman, there was still a lot of noise about Chula Chula versus African Stars.”
He added: “We know that is for the fans. It would be nice to see a packed stadium. Of course, we have to push for the points, but now we also have the pleasure to do it for our fans. It’s not going to be easy, but at least we’re going into that game with a bit of a confidence booster after collecting six points this past weekend.”
In the creative department, Willy Stephanus may not be matching his previous goal tallies, but the Stars forward continues to shine. With just six goals, Stephanus has nonetheless provided a league-best 14 assists, underlining his role as the league’s top creator.
Debmarine 2024/25 premier league top goal scorers:
1 Mbakondja Tjahikika African Stars 13
2 Giovanni Kaninab FC Ongos 11
3 Jasper Masialeti Young African 9
4 Nguzu Salazar Chula Chula 8
5 Simon Eddy Elago Young African 7
6 Petrus Stephanus Okahandja United 7
7 Paulus Amutenya UNAM FC 7
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