Matheus Hamutenya and Tuulikki Abraham
KEETMANSHOOP/LüDERITZ – The town of Keetmanshoop was a real hive of activity over the weekend when action in the Bidvest Namibia Cup got underway countrywide.
In Keetmanshoop at the J. Stephanus stadium, Real Fighters cruised to the Round of 32 after beating Dates Eleven by 2-0 in the final of the 2nd Division Southern Stream. With the victory, Fighters will this weekend take on Youngsters FC from Lüderitz.
Still in the south, Youngsters reached the Round of 32 after trouncing Atlanta Bucks by 3-2 in the final of the 2nd Division Coastal Stream at the Lüderitz stadium also over the weekend.
A total of 10 teams participated in the coastal preliminary round of matches, with the majority of teams being from Lüderitz, while only two hailed from Aus and Rosh Pinah.
In other results on Sunday, Atlanta Bucks beat Aus United by 2-1 and Youngsters FC also recorded a win after brushing aside Mountain Rangers by 2-1.
Meanwhile, Kavango East’s Kangweru Black Tops, Zambezi’s Shooting Stars and Western Stars of Kavango West are regional champions of the 2015 Bidvest Namibia Cup while the Oshana, Omusati and Oshikoto regional finals were curtailed by the heavy rain and action will resume this weekend.
In Nkurenkuru, Kavango West outfit Western Stars beat Hamaleevi FC by 2-0 to be crowned champions and advance to the Round of 32. At the Rundu stadium on Saturday, Kangweru Black Tops were winners following their 5-2 win over Divayi United in their final match. Tops reached the final with a commanding 2-0 win over Kavango United, while Divayi United were 4-2 winners over Special Eleven.
Shooting Stars were crowned champions of the Zambezi Region after a 2-1 victory over Space Age. Stars were earlier in the day 1-0 winners over Black Buffalo and Space Age edged out Rocano King Rangers by the same score line.
At Onayena in the Oshikoto Region, Oshikoto Nampol will face Ondangwa United in the final match to be contested this weekend. Nampol reached the final after ousting Safile United 13-12 on penalties after a goalless draw, while United narrowly beat Onathinge United by 1-0.
At the David Sheehama stadium in Omusati Region, action will resume this weekend with semifinal matches and the final on the cards. At 08h00, Omusati United will face Outapi United, followed by Onambula Young Generation up against Ogongo United.
Oshana regional 2nd Division playoffs at the Oshakati Independence stadium saw Vietnam Rangers and African Motto involved in a thrilling semifinal match which in the end Rangers won 3-2, while Khuse FC and Onelago United also produced a riveting game which the former won by 2-1. The final will be played this coming weekend at the same venue at 16h00.