Maxi keeps eye on ball

Namibian goalkeeper Maxi Mbaeva has been showing great form while playing for his South African club, Golden Arrows.
The team, which plays in that country’s Premier Soccer League (PSL), has had one of the best starts to the campaign as they have recorded three wins from four matches.
In those victories, Mbaeva has only conceded one goal while he has kept two clean sheets.
Arrows had started their PSL season with a 3-1 loss to Orlando Pirates but the Durban team has since bounced back and was leading the log standings prior to yesterday’s action in the league.
Mbaeva has been one of the most consistent Namibians based in the PSL as he has played the full 90 minutes in all four of Arrows’ matches.
His compatriot Chris Katjiukua has not been as fortunate, as he has only featured in Arrows’ opening clash against Pirates.
Since then the defender has mostly had to be satisfied with a place on the bench.
Golden Arrows will be hosting SuperSport United at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban at 19:30 tonight.

Consistent

Mbaeva’s consistency, meanwhile, has been matched by fellow goalkeeper Virgil Vries, who has played in all of Maritzburg United’s PSL matches.
Like his compatriot, the goal minder has also kept two clean sheets during his team’s four matches.
Next in line of consistency is Platinum Stars’ Henrico Botes, who has featured in all three of his team’s PSL games.
The veteran striker, who has retired from representing Namibia at international level, also had a 33-minute cameo during his side’s MTN8 match against Chippa United on 27 August.
His club mate Benson Shilongo, who was signed to the Rustenburg club from Botswana’s Gaborone United in July, has yet to make an appearance for Platinum Stars but reports suggested he was due to make his debut for the club in yesterday’s clash against Kaizer Chiefs.

Adapting

Meanwhile, one of Namibia’s most exciting players, Deon Hotto, is apparently finding the transition from Golden Arrows to Bloemfontein Celtic hard.
The winger is yet to complete a match for Celtic although he has featured in all three of his club’s PSL matches since joining them in July.
In fact, during his team’s last match against Arrows on Saturday, Hotto was hauled off at the end of the first half.
Over at Bidvest Wits midfielder Wangu Gome has been quietly racking up appearances as he helped the team to a 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs on 23 August after coming on as substitute in the 68th minute.
He followed that up with a 65th minute appearance during Wits’ 3-0 win over Cape Town City in the MTN8 semi-finals.
The young midfielder has also been consistently been in Bidvest Wits’ match day squad, which suggests that he is in the plans of his club coach, Gavin Hunt.
Namibia’s representation in the PSL has been reduced significantly this season after Ronald Ketjijere, who was playing for the relegated University of Pretoria, opted to return home.
Defenders Willem Mwedihanga, who also turned out for University of Pretoria, and Da Costa Angula, who was signed to Free State Stars last season, have not been signed to other PSL teams.
Hendrik Somaeb, who was attached to Free State Stars, has dropped down a level after signing with Jomo Cosmos, who play in South Africa’s First Division.

HECTOR MAWONGA