WINDHOEK – In a weekend of surprises, both MTC Premiership title chasing outfits Black Africa and Tigers suffered humiliating defeats against lesser opponents in the quarterfinals of the lucrative Bidvest Cup at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday.
Katutura glamour football club African Stars survived a scare and managed to escape a potential embarrassing exit against lowly Moutain Rangers in the second of a triple header on Saturday.
The Reds found themselves trailing after the enterprising Ashely Jossop converted from the penalty spot before veteran midfielder Razzie Tjikuzu brought the teams on level terms with a solo effort.
Stars’ joy was to be short lived as Edward Asino restored Rangers’ slender lead via a well taken free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Stars defender Ferdi Karongee made sure the teams were deadlocked going into the changeover (2-2).
The much fancied Premiership campaigners laid siege to their opponents’ goal area but Rangers’ acrobatic shot stopper Jonathan Hnase was in an uncompromising mood as he thwarted a couple of clear-cut goal-scoring chances.
Under-fire Reds mentor Woody Jacobs unleashed the trio of Elvis ‘Porridge’ Tjivasera, Guti Korukuve and Zimbabwean import Godwin Jena. With the tie destined for the dreaded penalty shootout, Tjikuzu showed that he is far from finished and still has something to offer in domestic football when he netted his second of the match to give the Reds a well deserved 3-2 lead before a goal apiece by the three substitutes sealed a comfortbale 6-2 victory for Stars.
Junius Theophelus’ sweetly struck goal against Namibian champions Black Africa propelled Tura Magic to the semifinals of the lucrative Bidvest Cup as Timo Tjongarero’s young brigade continued their giant killing act with another spledid performance.
Timo Tjongarero’s youthful brigade took an early lead through Ghanaian import Kalusha for a one-goal cushion in the first half. The free scoring Theophilus found himself at the end of a well-orchestrated counter-attack and the nimble-footed striker made no mistake to make it 2-0 for the giant killers. BA bossed the midfield and enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession, but could just not penetrate the well-oiled rearguard of Tura Magic, which was carefully manned by the fast improving Tebs Lombard. Skillful winger Awilo Stephanus gifted the BA diehards a glimmer of hope with a piece of individual brillianace reducing the deficit with a spectacular drive from 35 metres out which sailed through the butterfingered Collin Ndjai (2-1).
Fighting on two fronts with the coveted MTC Premiership league title very much in sight, Tigers were heavilly brought down to mother gravity by unfashionable United Stars in the opening match.
Dawid Snewe’s young brigade is making a nasty habit of showing very little respect, if any, towards their more superior opponents following comprehensive victories over league heavyweights Black Africa and African Stars in recent league outings.
Tigers were their next credible victims. After a goalless first half, Big Fellah had to rely on his reserve tank to manufacture a victory as both substitutes Nqobani Phakati and Moses Mbundu obliged by netting a goal apiece to give United a deserved 2-0 triumph over their much fancied opponents despite playing with a man down following the late dismissal of Kanyanga Kasera.
Stars, United and Tura Magic joins Citizens in the semifinals.
By Carlos Kambaekwa