Maqonda Ndlovu
Eeshoke Chula Chula Football Club claimed their first-ever elite silverware following a 1-0 victory over the defending Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) champions at the Hage Geingob Stadium on Saturday.
In a tense match, Chula Chula scored the only goal of the match in the 42nd minute through attacking midfielder Moses Shidolo, who tapped in a rebound after striker George Marselinu struck the post, as Stars defenders failed to clear their lines.
The two teams kept the match officials busy as they went physical on each other, while the bumpy surface made it difficult for the two teams to play a passing game.
Stars were the first to threaten, but striker Deon Tjizumaue failed to control his shot.
National team renegade Leevi Alfeus had a superb match in the middle of the park, and his passes troubled the Stars’ defence, with one such telling pass finding Rivaldo Laksman, whose tame attempt was gathered by Mervin Kasetura.
However, there was no stopping Shidolo, as he was in the right place at the right time to calmly slot in the rebound and give his side the one-goal halftime lead.
The second half saw Stars make several early changes in a bid to change the scoreline, but Chula Chula upped the tempo much to the frustration of Stars.
The newly promoted side managed to hold on to the match to claim the trophy and N$250 000 in prize money as well as medals.
The Hage Geingob tournament also saw MTC HopSol league side U/17 CBS Football Academy (FA) win 2-1 against Riverheights FA in the first match of the day.
The two teams will receive training equipment as their prizes.
The second match between Girls & Goals and FNB Women Super League champions FC Ongos (formerly known as Tura Magic) ended 1-0 in favour of Girls & Goals.
Up next were the Namibian Legends, made up mostly of the class of 98, against their South African counterparts.
That match ended 1-1 in regulation time following goals from China Uutoni for Namibian Legends and Siphiwe Shabalala.
The South African Legends won 5-4 on penalties.
Following their defeat, Stars relieved coach Prince George Koffi of his duties with immediate effect.
In a media release, Stars said Mervin Mbakera had resumed duties as head coach, with the assistance of Jamuovandu Ngatjizeko and Razundara Tjikuzu.
“There were certain specific targets that we had in the short, medium, and long term as a club. These included playing a certain brand of football, playing in the Champions’ League group stages, and winning the Hage Geingob Cup.
“Unfortunately, we did not reach that; hence, we had to pull the plug on the relationship,” Stars executive director Salomo Hei told this publication yesterday.