WINDHOEK, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The first ever Namibia Premier League (NPL) top eight competition kicks off this Thursday as clubs vie for top honors in the Standard Bank sponsored cup.

The winner of the cup are expected to walk away with 500,000 Namibian dollars (35,500 US dollars) after the final match has been played over the weekend on Sunday.

UNAM and Tigers will open the lucrative Standard Bank Top 8 Cup on Thursday night at the Sam Nujoma stadium and on Friday, Mighty Gunners will play Tura Magic at the same venue.

Saturday will see the quarterfinals continue with Black Africa taking on Eleven Arrows before league champions African Stars lock horns with Orlando Pirates for the second successive Saturday, both games at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

The two sides met last week in the 2018/2019 MTC Premiership season and Stars got the three points with a 1-0 win over an improved youthful Pirates side.