By Kuvee Kangueehi GOBABIS MTC Namibia Premier League Champions Civics and the First National Bank (FNB) cup holders Blue Waters FC both progressed to the semi-final of the FNB after the weekend matches, which were played at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis. The champions and the coastal giants now join African Stars and Black Africa who already booked their places the previous weekend. Blue Waters beat Ramblers 2-0 on Sunday afternoon to set up a date with Civics in the semi-final. Although Ramblers played better football yesterday afternoon, it was Blue Waters which scored the goals, which made the difference. After the two teams were tied at 0-0 at halftime, Lazy Mwatunga opened the scoring for Blue Waters just a few minutes into the second half. Blue Waters hard tackling midfielder Johannes ‘Kulu’ Hawala made 2-0 midway through the second half to put the match beyond Ramblers. In the quarter-final played on Sunday Civics beat Oshakati City by a solitary goal, which was scored by Brain Gurirab early in the first half. The two results meant that the two teams will lock horns again in the same competition for the second year running. On Saturday the tournament witnessed one of the biggest upsets of the tournament when Orlando Pirates, one of the big teams in the country, were eliminated at the first hurdle by Oshakati City. Although the chances were few and far in-between, City grabbed an important goal in the final matches to send Pirates home early. Blue Waters on Saturday also needed three goals to go past arch-rivals Eleven Arrows. The coastal derby, which was played at the Legare, was a five-goal thriller and had all the ingredients of a real derby. Blue Waters took the lead early in the first half, but Arrows replied minutes later. The Beautiful Birds then made it 2-1 but Arrows was not prepared to lie down and equalized to give the Birds and their coach Shepard Murape more problems. However, Blue Waters put the game into a higher gear and scored the third, which was the winning goal. Civics and Ramblers had easy games on Saturday and it was a real stroll in the park for the two Windhoek-based sides. Ramblers overcame a weak Robber Chanties by 2-0 while Civics humiliated Mighty Gunners by scoring four goals. The mighty Gunners only replied once. Football fans can now look forward to an exciting semi-final on December 9 which will pit African Stars against Black Africa, while Civics will take on Blue Waters.
2006-11-272024-04-23By Staff Reporter