The U/19 MTC HopSol Youth League was in full swing at the Jan Mohr Football Field this past weekend. 

The first match featured Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) against Kasaona Football Academy. While the game promised excitement, it delivered a rather lacklustre performance from both sides, marred by red cards in the second half.

SKW managed to secure the only goal of the match in the second half, thanks to Brubhinho Kandirikirira.

Kasaona FA’s coach, Mattheus Hashotushi Hamupolo expressed disappointment, acknowledging that the game could have gone either way. Unfortunately, his team was unable to clinch the three points as the final whistle blew. “We must get back and try to put things right again. Our gameplan was to try and outrun them because we knew they were weak on the runs at the back, but our boys did not show up today,” he said.

Hamupolo said the players kept the ball for too long, which was one of their key weak points. Moving on, he said they need to concentrate on their midfield. 

“We could not create any goal-scoring opportunities from the midfield as we mostly work from the wings,” he said. 

Winning coach Lucky Kakuva believed it was a tough match after a lengthy layoff, but felt they were in control of most parts of the game.  “In terms of physical condition, my players were a bit rusty, in terms of decision-making, we controlled the match very well,” he said.

“We made a few changes and stepped up. As a result, it was difficult for the opponents to keep up with our pace. Coming back into the second half, we scored the goal, what more can we ask for?”. Kakuva wants to look further into the team’s shape for a better performance so that they can up their game on the field. “We played long balls. The support should have arrived on time, but this was lacking in our game. I was trying to talk to the guys in the second half so that we narrow the spaces amongst ourselves, and attack with the wingers. 

“But they are still kids, and it was not possible, but I am happy with the victory. I think going forward, we just need to rectify the challenges we are facing,” he said.

Elsewhere 

The DAMA Soccer Academy U/19 team lost their second match since resuming the league last weekend, going down 2-0 against Riverheights Football Academy. Even though DAMA did not register a win, coach Pienaar Haitenge feels the work behind the scenes with the boys is immense, and is proud of how they are performing. “We did not take our chances.

“Our focus today was not spot-on I told them that their concentration must be on for us to compete at this level, especially in this age group. We are not having a bad season, we just need to find some type of consistency in our campaign. But we are for sure going to come through this season,” he said. 

-slunyangwe@nepc.com.na