Black Africa and Orlando Pirates played out a goalless draw in an action-packed Katutura derby at the Sam Nujoma stadium on Saturday evening.
Although there were no goals there was lots of drama as both teams hit the woodwork in a fast-paced match that kept the 6 000 strong fans cheering and singing throughout the encounter.
The start of the match was delayed for about an hour due to congestion at the turnstiles as late fans still tried to make their way into the stadium. Luckily the spectators remained patient and were entertained by a dancing troupe of Black Africa and Pirates girls.
When the match finally got underway, the fans were not disappointed as both sides produced scintillating soccer.
Pirates were the first to attack with Riaan Cloete drawing cheers after going close early on. Steve Maposa shot over the bar from close range, while at the other end, Pirates keeper Athiel Mbaha saved well from a shot by Black Africa captain Erastus Mundjanima.
The attacks continued thick and fast, with a Donovan Swartz shot saved by Mbaha, while Steve Maposa and Wilfred Coetzee came close at the other end.
There was drama at the end of the first half with three chances going a begging within two minutes.
First Black Africaâ??s new keeper Stephanus Dila saved from Maposa, but BA immediately counter-attacked with Jerome Louis shooting over the bar.
Pirates struck back immediately and Dila once again saved well from Edian Beukes. As the half came to a close the crowd gave the players an appreciative ovation.
Irresistible Cloete
Pirates came out firing after the break, once again spurred on by the irresistible Cloete, who had Black Africaâ??s defence at full stretch with his penetrating runs.
Beukes had a great chance when he received a centre from Cloete, but Dila did well to save at his feet.
But Black Africa nearly took the lead when Jerome Louis pounced from a counter attack and unleashed a powerful shot that bounced off the upright.
Pirates brought on Celestine Wasserfall, Klaas Blom and Eusebio Fredericks, who immediately made an impact. From a Blom corner, a cracking shot by Wasserfall hit the crossbar and bounced over the line.
Piratesâ?? players started celebrating while their fans went crazy, but the referee ruled that a Black Africa player had been fouled and disallowed the goal.
In the closing stages, Pirates created more chances, notably through the tricky Klaas Blom who gave BAâ??s defence a torrid time. Wilfred Coetzee had a fine volley tipped for a corner while another cracker by Wasserfall bounced off the post.