Zebaldt Ngaruka
The Clemens Rukatero Vihajo Okamatapati Soccer League outfit, Benoni FC, is confident it will avoid relegation this season despite sitting last in the league.
Following a 5-1 Saturday defeat to Amakhosi Boys, Benoni bounced back and crushed Omurari wa Coblenz 3-0 to keep their relegation hopes alive.
Out of 15 matches played so far, the team recorded only two victories, drew one match, lost 12 games and occupies the last position with only seven points.
The team’s head coach, Tjatjitua Kuzatjike, told New Era Sport he is confident the team will bounce back, do well in the remaining fixtures, and stay in the league.
“We have to take the bull by the horns and fight until the last match.
It is possible, and we have the c
apabilities to do that. We will survive,” he said.
Kuzatjike said a wind of change is blowing through the team, as it was reinforced with new players from the under-15 tournament held recently in Otjiwarongo.
“We are committed, dedicated and determined to do better, considering the struggle we went through from the beginning of this season,” he said.
The team based in Okamatutjindo faced challenges travelling to honour league games, which is one of the key factors in their league position.
Kuzatjike added that it was heavy for the team to travel every weekend from Okamatutjindo to Okamatapati, and the players need more time to rest after long travels.
“These cost us points; nevertheless, we have now registered many players residing in Okamatapati, and that
will bring change. We are preparing hard and reschedule our training schedules,” said the head coach, adding that the players are responding well to the new methods.
Elsewhere, in the league on Friday, Okamatapati CS defeated Young Stars 2-1, while Classic Eleven stunned another relegation battle candidate, Tololo FC, 4-2 in the first match on Saturday.
Tololo FC is second last from the bottom of the table with seven points, level with Benoni.
Amakhosi Boys defeated Scorpions 5-0 in the second match, while the following encounter between Ekuija Monjama and Okamatapati CS ended in a one-all stalemate.
Among other fixtures on Sunday, Tololo FC crushed Ombwa United 3-0 to keep its hopes alive in the league; the encounter between Omurari wa Coblenz and Ombwa United was called off as both teams failed to pitch up.
Classic Eleven shared the spoils against Amakhosi Boys after each side scored one.
As it stands, Okamatapati CS sits top with 45 points and is on the verge of being crowned champions, while second-placed Ekuija Monjama follows with 40 points and one match remaining.
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