The 2009/10 MTC Premiership kicks off this weekend with Tigers taking on Orlando Pirates in the opening match at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Friday night. With new coach Brian Isaacs at the helm, Tigers already sounded an early warning when they won the FNB Football Expo on August 30, beating Eleven Arrows in the final. Pirates however have a star-studded team and are the defending Cell One NFA Cup champions so they should start off as the favourites.
Adding a bit more spice to the match, of course, is the fact that Isaacs was dismissed by Pirates last season and replaced by David Snewe. Isaacs will be determined to prove a point with a victory against his old team. It should be quite a match and a hopefully a big crowd will turn up.
Five more matches take place on Saturday afternoon, with Ramblers hosting Hotspurs at the Ramblers field, SKW travelling to Walvis Bay to take on Eleven Arrows, African Stars travelling to Tsumeb to take on newcomers United Stars and Oshakati City hosting Blue Waters in Embandu. On Saturday evening another humdinger can be expected when Black Africa and Civics clash at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
Boxing
Namibian welterweight champion Ali Nuumbembe takes on South Africa’s Samuel Malinga for the vacant WBO African welterweight title in the main bout of the Box n Dine event at the Windhoek Country Club on Saturday evening.
In the main supporting bout, Vikapita Meroro takes on Tinei Mharidzo of Zimbabwe for the interim WBO African light heavyweight title.
There will be several other fights on the undercard including two national title fights. Paulus Ambunda takes on Tommy Nakashimba for the national bantamweight title, while Abraham Ndaendapo takes on Gottlieb Ndokosho for the national junior lightweight title.
Other up and coming professionals like Sacky Shikukutu, Martin Haikali, Peter Malakia and Julius Indongo will also be in action.
Hockey
The Field Hockey Namibian Premier League continues with matches at the Doc Jubber field.
Saturday, September 12:
13h00: WOB v DTS – Women
14h25: WOB v Polytech – Men
15h50: Unam v DTS – Men
Sunday, September 13:
12h00: Unam v Wanderers – Men
Rugby
The quarterfinals of the MTC First league take place at the Hage Geingob National Rugby Stadium on Saturday.
14h00: Windhoek RC v Reho Falcon II
16h10: Otjiwarongo v Keetmanshoop
18h15: Dolphins v Mariental
20h20: Ocean Swallows v Oshakati
Khomas U17 Soccer League
The semifinals of the Khomas U17 League take place at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday morning.
Shipena Stars take on Rebels at 10h15, while Cymot SKW take on Golden Boys at 11h30.
Netball
National trials for the selection of a team to participate at the COSANA Championships will be held at the Khomasdal courts.