In a weekend of shocks, Orlando Pirates regained the lead at the top of the MTC Premiership after beating United Stars 3-2 in Grootfontein. Pirates took a 2-0 lead through goals by Ronaldo Tsowaseb and their 19-year-old midfielder Tinkler Kahua, but Stars opened their account through a goal by Joao dos Santos. John Samson put Pirates 3-1 ahead but Alfeus Ngwezi scored another goal for Stars to set up a tight finish, although Pirates held on for the victory.
The victory put Pirates back at the top of the log on 23 points – two ahead of Black Africa and African Stars. Black Africa had taken the lead for the first time on Wednesday when they beat SKW 4-2, while Stars missed their chance to go top when they suffered their first defeat of the season on Friday, going down 1-0 to Civics.
Ramblers caused a major surprise by beating Eleven Arrows 3-0 in Walvis Bay.
Arrows had numerous chances to take the lead, as they also hit the crossbar with one attempt, before Ramblers took the lead just before half time through striker Junior Gebhardt, when he pounced onto a defensive error.
Gebhardt scored a second goal after the break while substitute Boma Nailonga completed their emphatic victory.
Ramblers’ technical director Lutz Pfannenstiel was ecstatic with the victory.
“Our boys played brilliant football. The spirit is very high and they have been doing very well in training and today it all came together,” he said.
“This is only the start, I think we will improve now, and I will also bring two or three new players in January,” he added.
Pfannenstiel said he was negotiating with players from Serbia, Bosnia and Ghana who all played for him when he was technical director at Armenian Premier League club Bentonit.
At the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday, Tigers beat Blue Waters 1-0 through a goal by Tangeni Shipahu, while Hotspurs beat Oshakati City 4-2.