The Epukiro All-Stars netball and football teams won the Dino Vezepa Karita’s top 10 tournament at the Khomasdal Stadium in the capital on Sunday. Epukiro’s frootball and netball teams dominated the N$35 000 worth competition and were crowned champions.
In the first semifinal, Epukiro All-Stars stunned Okondjatu 3-0 on penalties after a one-all draw in regulation time and booked their place in the final.
Otjimbingwe then crushed Otjinene 5-4 on penalties following a one-all stalemate in 90 minutes to reach the final.
Epukiro became champions after defeating Otjimbingwe 3-1 in the final. Mberii Kandetu, Ronaldo Ripunda, and Okeri Tjiuoro scored for the Epukiro All-Stars in the final. The football winner, Epukiro pocketed N.dollars 12 000 and 20 gold medals, while Otjimbingwe walked away with N$7 000 plus 20 silver medals as runners-up.
An amount of N$6 000 was split between Okondjatu and Otjinene as semi-finalists.
In netball, Omaheke’s Aminuis defeated Epupa All-Stars from the Kunene Region 35-12 in the first semi-final, while Epukiro crushed their Otjinene counterparts 22-18 in the second semi-final.
In the highly contested final encounter, Epukiro won, after scoring 21 goals to 17 against Aminuis. The Epukiro ladies took home a trophy, N$5 000 and 12 gold medals as winners whereas Aminuis settled for N$2 500 and 12 silver medals as runners-up.
The netball semi-finalists, Otjinene and Epupa each received N$1 250 for coming third in the competition. Epukiro All-Stars football head coach Moses Muure Katjiteo told Nampa that the team’s victory is attributed to early preparations. “I am happy for the win, we reaped our fruits considering the efforts and time we invested in this team,” Katjiteo said. He said it was not an easy task, critics were there as Epukiro is blessed with players and the selection process is not always easy. “Despite that, I am happy, and the team emerged and a big thanks to my boys and the supporters and Epukiro Sports Council for rallying behind us,” said Katjiteo. Wendy Hirokoherua, Epukiro netball head coach said the team is overwhelmed by the victory.
“We did very well, my players showed a level of commitment, discipline and teamwork. I knew the Aminuis team well as we recently defeated them in a local competition,” she said.
The newly appointed coach added the achievement will motivate her to do better next year in the NRSDF tournaments. – Nampa