Former Orlando Pirates coach Ali Akan is riding high with AK FC in the South African Mvela League, as his side tops the leagueâ??s Inland Stream log after seven matches.
AK FC are on top of the log on 16 points after seven matches, followed by Dynamos on 14 from seven and MP Black Aces and Winners Park who are both on 11 points from seven matches.
AK FC have won five, drawn one and lost one match to date. In their last match on December 1, they drew 1-all at home to African Wanderers, with Namibian striker Costa Khaiseb scoring AK FCâ??s goal midway through the first half.
Khaiseb is in great scoring form at the moment since it was his fifth goal in eight matches.
Great pas by Jantze
Midfielders Dumisa Jantze and Freedom Puriza were both in fine form against African Wanderers, with Jantze providing a defence-splitting pass that led to Khaisebâ??s goal.
Defender Ivan Namaseb however missed the match after recently injuring his knee and has returned to Namibia to recuperate.
Akan in confident mood
Akan told Namibia Sport that he was happy with their form so far.
â??I was a bit disappointed that we didnâ??t beat African Wanderers at home, but overall the team is performing well and we are creating a lot of chances. Costa has been in great form, he is working very hard and has a very good strike rate now,â? he said.
Akan said he was confident that they could win the league on their current form.
â??We have played all the teams in our league and based on my knowledge of them, I am quite confident of winning the league,â? he said.
Khaiseb hopes for call up
Khaiseb told Namibia Sport that he hoped his form would be noticed by the national selectors.
â??With Henrico Botes out of the Nations Cup, we need an experienced striker with the necessary leadership skills. I hope to be called up to Ghana to fill his position,â? he said.
â??I wish Botes the best of luck and a quick recovery â?? remember, you are our national captain and will be sorely missed,â? he said.
FC Cape Town struggling
Meanwhile, things are not going so well with former African Stars defender Maleagi Ngarizemoâ??s team FC Cape Town.
FC Cape Town are competing in the Mvela Coastal Log and after seven matches they were lying fifth on the log out of eight teams. FC Cape Town are on 9 points from seven matches, while the log leaders Maritzburg United are on 15 points after seven matches.
Tjihonge stars for Leopards
Another Namibian foreign-based player who is doing well lately is goalkeeper Ephraim Tjihonge, who plays for South African PSL outfit Black Leopards.
On Wednesday, December 5, Tjihonge had a great match for Black Leopards and helped them to a shock 2-1 victory over defending champion Mamelodi Sundowns.
Tjihonge pulled off a fine save against Surprise Moriri towards the end of the first half, while he managed to keep Sundownsâ?? strikers at bay till injury time when they scored a consolation goal through Moriri.
Both Leopardsâ?? goals were scored by Fisher Kondowe.