Northern giants set sights on upsets

Northern-based football giants King Kauluma Palace are preparing for a pivotal Namibia Premier Football League weekend, hoping to cause upsets against Khomas Nampol and defending champions African Stars.

Palace will host the police side on Saturday before facing Stars on Sunday, in matches that could influence the title race. While the team is not expected to be title favourites, strong performances this weekend could keep them in contention and frustrate their northern rivals, Eeshoke Chula Chula, should they manage to beat African Stars.

Coach Sakaria Kambonde emphasised that the team is focused on their own goals rather than relying on other results. “This will be a big weekend in the premier league, and we are definitely looking forward to it as a team. Hosting African Stars and being part of matches that could influence the title is something very special for us,” Kambonde said.

Currently, Palace sit nine points behind log leaders African Stars and eight behind second-placed Chula Chula. Their path to the league crown would require winning all four remaining matches while the top two falter, a scenario that seems unlikely.

Stars lead the table with 50 points, followed closely by Chula Chula on 49. Palace, with 41 points, have won 14 of 26 matches, drawing on seven occasions, while Chula Chula have lost just five games, scoring 31 goals and conceding 18. African Stars, meanwhile, have scored 39 goals and conceded 17, losing four matches this season.

Fans of the northern giants are beginning to dream, with Palace still mathematically in the title race alongside Ongos FC (44 points). Palace’s final two matches are against Okahandja United and Bucks Buccaneers, while Stars will face Unam FC and Ongos FC in Windhoek.

With the league nearing its climax, this weekend promises intense action and the potential for big surprises in the race for the title.