TOP Windhoek based MTC premiership clubs have been robbed of their star players since October  as educational commitments take centre stage.

Close to 30 players from the capital’s seven league teams have been excused from their clubs as tertiary education examinations reach peak across the country.
Defending champions, African Stars, have had to do with make-shift combinations after five of their players left to concentrate on examinations.
Defensive midfielder Ronaldo Katjiere (University of Namibia), left back Ricardo ‘Rio’ Tjiuro (Windhoek College of Education), enterprising midfielder Edison ‘Masinga’ Muheua and hard rock Pat Uanivi (both Polytechnic of Namibia) are notable absentees at Stars’ hence all-rounder Jamu Ngatjizeko is now being played deep in defence.
Recuperating Robert Nganjone is also exam-tied.
“Most of the players miss our away games because they cannot travel while others miss weeks of training due to exam preparations. It’s a lot of weight for us,” said Black Africa coach Ali Akan.
Akan has had to occasionally do without midfield engines Eliphas Heita as well as Quinton Kuruseb (Polytechnic of Namibia) and Bryan Bantam (UNAM).
Tigers have also  lost defensive midfielder Willem Mwedihanga to exams.
Struggling giants, Civics, although pointing figures at others causes for their recent slump, have had to contend without the Polytechnic trio of Nelson Angula, defensive bedrock Luther Kanalelo and Mekonga Hangara.
“We are now going into our second month without Angula and his services have been missed greatly,” mourned Civics manager Paul Stramis.
Equally struggling Ramblers also do not have central defender Christopher Simvula (UNAM), Charlie Aoseb (WVTC), Bonney Orr (Poly) youthful Mboma Nailonga (Jan Jonker) and Ananias Gebhardt (Augastinium).
Only SKW have confirmed that none of their players are exam-tied.
Most examinations  are expected to end on the last day of November.
Hotspurs coach Willie Kapukare says he has lost his first team quartet of Uakotoka Sonny Mbatera, Uamburuka Tjiumbo, Jaanda Ngozu and Linden Gaseb all who have been writing exams at Windhoek College of Education.
“Either you use players who were not at training the whole week or you go without your top player,” said Kapukare.
High-riding Orlando Pirates are the worst hit. Seven of their senior players are out with injuries which range from two weeks  to a rest of the season sideline.
Goalkeepers Athiel Mbaha, his immediate deputy Heribelt Kapenga, defender Ivan Namaseb, his senior lieutenant Henrico Afrikaner, midfielder Mohammed Ouseb and strikers Samson John and Edward Damaseb are all out injured.
The salt to Pirates’  injury is that youngsters Rendo Xoaseb, Laurent Haraseb and Joseph Narenga,  likely replacements of the injured players, are all exam-tied.
“We are facing a rough patch because of these exams and injuries,” confirmed Mario Carrera, Pirates Manager.
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