Isai Sipunga
In a commanding display of football, the Deutscher Turn und Sportverein (DTS) U/17 team triumphed over the Kaizen Football Academy (KFA) with an overwhelming 8-1 victory on Saturday in the MTC HopSol Youth Soccer League at the Sports Klub Windhoek Field.
This decisive win has not only showcased DTS’ attacking prowess but also set a promising tone for the season ahead.
DTS began the match with relentless intensity, overwhelming KFA with a series of clinical finishes that left little room for their opponents to recover.
The match highlighted DTS’ dominance from the outset, with their swift and precise attacks catching KFA off guard.
Reflecting on the heavy defeat, KFA’s left-wing forward Kienyondre Maletsky acknowledged the difficulties his team faced in balancing academic commitments with their training. “We didn’t perform as well as we could have,” he admitted.
He pointed out the need for better team cohesion and preparation, stressing the importance of managing both academics and football effectively. Despite the setback, KFA remains determined to focus on their upcoming matches, to secure a top-eight finish to reach the knockout stages.
On the other hand, DTS coach Kufahakutizwi Mubasa expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance.
“We had control from the start, and took our chances effectively,” he said.
He noted that despite some fatigue from previous matches, the team’s overall performance was strong and well-balanced, paving the way for future successes.
Meanwhile, a closely contested match between Dama and Riverheights’ U/17s saw both teams battling hard but unable to secure a win, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
The game was competitive, with each side having its moments, but neither could find the decisive goal.
Dama’s left-back Tjihuna Uahapirapi reflected on the match, stating that his team controlled the first half, but struggled to maintain their momentum in the second.
He noted that an own goal was a significant setback, though he was generally satisfied with the team’s effort.
He stressed the need to improve basic skills, such as ball control and first touches, to avoid such mistakes in the future. Riverheights coach Ronald Chari also weighed in on the match, acknowledging the challenges of facing a rival team.
“We didn’t play our best in the first half but improved significantly in the second,” he said. Although his team created several chances, they had to settle for a draw.
He, however, remains optimistic about the team’s potential moving forward.
Sunshine Private School vs Kasaona
In the U/19 division, Kasaona secured a convincing 5-0 victory over Sunshine Private School, highlighting their technical skill and attacking efficiency.
The solid performance by Kasaona underscored their determination to make a mark this season.
Sunshine coach Solomon Tsoka expressed disappointment with his team’s lack of preparation and focus. “Our players seemed unprepared,” he remarked.
“We need to reassess and refine our approach before our next game.” He vowed to address the team’s shortcomings to ensure better performances in future matches.
Kasaona coach Vihakura Tjingaete, while pleased with the victory, noted that there is still room for improvement, particularly in finishing.
“Although we had a positive outcome, we missed several chances,” he remarked.
He set a goal of securing an 8th-place finish to qualify for the knockout stages, and stressed this win was a positive step in the right direction.
As the season progresses, teams will be focused on addressing their challenges and building on their performances to achieve their goals.
– isipunga@nepc.com.na