Bragging rights at stake in battle of the South  

This weekend's Namibian Football Association (NFA) Southern Stream First Division (SSFD) fixtures will be a single round of matches with a much-anticipated top-of-the-table clash between Young Brazilians and Mariental Sports Club, and the travelling partners in the league are also squaring off against each other.

All to play for - Could the match between Mariental and Young Brazillians be a decisive factor in determining which team ultimately lifts the trophy and earns automatic entry to the elite league at the end of the season? Fedics United was the first team from Keetmanshoop to be promoted to the Premier League, while Bee Bop Brothers from Mariental earned promotion in the 2021/2022 season. Will and can Mariental or Young Brazillians achieve the same feat? Soccer fans will have to wait until Saturday (15:00) for the answer when the two top contenders tackle each other at the J. Stepanus Stadium in Keetmanshoop. 

Ready for battle - The coaching staff of both camps were tight-lipped about their tactics for the upcoming clash. “An away fixture is always tough. We know it won't be easy, but we are ready and determined to bag the win. Maximum points will take us to the top,” said the Young Brazillians team manager, Coleman Simon. Efforts to obtain a comment from Mariental went unanswered.  

The confidence within the two teams is, however, running high. The Brazillians defeated O&L Ramblers (1-0) and Orlando Pirates (1-0) in their last two fixtures. The log leaders, Mariental, defeated Orlando Pirates (2-0) and thrashed Ramblers (5-0).    

Mariental is still undefeated and have been clinging to the top spot for quite a while now, with a single point separating them from the two sides (Quiver and Young Brazillians) which occasionally occupied the second spot. Mariental collected 35 points (9 wins and 8 draws) from 17 matches. The lethal Mariental strikeforce hit the back of the net 26 times, and its rock-solid defence conceded only 3 goals.  

Young Brazilians is placed second with 34 points (10 wins, 4 draws and 3 defeats) and enjoy a three-point lead over the third-placed Try Again on 31 points (9 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats). The Young Brazillian attack force scored 21 goals, and their defence conceded 11 goals so far.  

Fixtures with club position on the log in brackets. Quiver FC (5th with a game in hand and a pending DC case against Celtic) takes on Oranjemund (11th) at 13:00, and Try Again (3rd) tackles Dates Eleven (7th) at 17:00. These two games will also take place at the J. Stephanus Stadium. Celtic (8th with a game in hand and a pending DC case against Quiver) battles Blue Boys (9th) at Mondesa Stadium (16:00). O&L Ramblers (10th) face Orlando Pirates (12th) at Ramblers Stadium (16:00). Friends (6th) take on City Boys (4th) at Reho Stadium (16:00).