Windhoek
The on and off annual MTC Premiership prize-giving awards ceremony turned sour when one of the main attractions of the gathering failed to show up.
The conspicuous or rather embarrassing absence of newly crowned MTC Premiership champions Tigers Football Club played event organizers and the league principal sponsor MTC offside. Tigers’ no-show was apparently triggered by the league’s decision to reschedule the gathering to a more affordable venue as a result of a tight budget. Insiders say Tigers felt undervalued and resolved to boycott the gathering although the club’s head coach Brian Isaacs was present, ignoring directives from the club hierarchy to stay away from the ceremony.
Murmurs of discontent could be clearly heard in the corridors of the pocket-sized Nice Restaurant with football heavyweights calling for drastic action to be taken against Tigers for bringing the game of football into disrepute.An agitated football official exploded: “This is uncalled for and totally unacceptable – these guys are behaving as if the event was only meant for Tigers.
“It’s the prerogative of the league to make changes and relocate the event to a suitable venue, financial-wise. It’s none of Tigers’ business whatsoever to dictate or interfere in the internal affairs of the league administration,” fumed the football official.
Nevertheless, the ceremony was conducted in a sober mood and went ahead as planned. The highlight of the gathering, which took place at the Nice Restaurant in the morning hours, was reserved for Namibia’s self-proclaimed number one football fan, one Robbie Savage.
The football-crazy ever-present Robbie was handsomely rewarded for his dedication to football with N$10 000 in addition to a state-of-the-art mobile phone – courtesy of MTC. As widely expected, Tigers scooped a significant chunk of the awards at stake with nimble-footed free-scoring forward Absalom Liimbodi deservedly claiming a much-deserved double.
The latter was overwhelmingly chosen the Players’ Player and the prestigious Most Outstanding Player of the Year. Orlando Pirates’ free-scoring striker Terdius Useb dethroned former team-mate Nicky Musambani, as his 15 goals during the just ended campaign proved enough for him to claim the Golden Boot award.
Tigers mentor Brian Isaacs was deservedly awarded as the Best Coach of the Year after steering perennial underachievers Tigers to their first league title in democratic Namibia. The accolade was his 6th from seven attempts. Having relinquished their title to arch-rival Tigers, Katutura glamour football club African Stars received a consolation prize when long serving team manager Lesley “Ta Less” Kozonguizi was the preferred recipient of the Chairman’s Award.
The former Baronages pop band lead vocalist shared the N$30 000 prize with the Dolam-based Swallows Football Academy. Civics’ leading striker Donald Kheiseb was chosen the Best Young Player of the Season.
Champions Tigers received a whopping N$1 million with runner-up Black Africa taking home a cool N$600 000, while 3rd placed Tura Magic and dethroned champions African Stars (4th) were handed consolation prizes of N$300 000 and N$100 000 respectively.