The excitement amongst player, coaches
….as NFPL gets underway
Elated players, coaches and local football fans were all jubilant as they welcomed the return of domestic football with the start of the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL), which saw matches taking place in Windhoek and Mariental.
Matches were played on Saturday and yesterday at the Sam Nujoma stadium in Windhoek and the Mariental stadium.
At the Sam Nujoma stadium on Saturday, Orlando Pirates profited from striker Isaskar Gurirab’s hattrick as they secured a 3-0 win over Citizens. The second match of the day that saw Civics squaring off against Blue Waters and the Mighty Civilians, as Civics is affectionately known, recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win over the coastal giants.
The third and final match for the day at the Sam Nujoma stadium on Saturday saw Karasburg outfit Young Brazilians overpower Rundu-based side Julinho Sporting by 3-1 to conclude the day’s proceedings on a high note.
At the Mariental stadium on Saturday, Tigers were the biggest winners when they defeated coastal side Eleven Arrows 3-0, while Tura Magic also secured a narrow 1-0 win over Otjiwarongo’s Mighty Gunners and Young African also recorded a 1-0 victory over favourites Black Africa.
In yesterday’s action at the Sam Nujoma stadium, Pirates continued with their perfect run when they defeated Young Brazilians 3-0, while coastal Blue Waters managed to dust themselves off with a 1-0 win over Citizens. Julinho Sporting and Civics played to a 2-all draw.
In Mariental yesterday, Young African could not replicate Saturday’s form as they suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Eleven Arrows, while Black Africa’s poor start also continued yesterday when they lost 1-2 to Mighty Gunners.
The results from Windhoek and Mariental were well received by the various players and coaches, who all expressed delight with the return of domestic football after a prolonged layoff due to infightings and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic.
New Era Sport caught up with various gaffers to hear how they feel about the return of premiership football.
The first to express his excitement was Orlando Pirates coach Woody Jacobs, who said it was a relief to finally see local football players playing and making a living for themselves again.
“I am happy to be back doing what we love, it’s a good feeling seeing football return after months without active football. Despite players still struggling with match fitness, it’s a relief to see players happy and eager to compete. To all the stakeholders and everyone involved, thank you for letting football start,” said Woody.
Pirates’ lethal striker Gurirab also echoed his mentor’s sentiments, saying he is excited to be playing and scoring goals again. “I am happy to have scored a hat-trick today (Saturday), but all credit goes to the team, without them I wouldn’t have scored the goals. But the most important thing, for now, is that we are all happy to see football return to the field of play and all players getting the opportunity to play,” said a thrilled Gurirab.
Blue Waters coach Paulus Shipanga also voiced his excitement with the return of football, saying the return of football was what everyone had waited for. “It’s thrilling for both the players and ourselves as coaches, this is the only activity that unites people and puts a smile on their faces. So, to see football being brought back to the field of play is exciting,” he said.