Zebaldt Ngaruka

EPUKIRO – Otjinene-based Gustav Kandjii Secondary School (SS) emerged victorious in both the football and netball competitions they hosted on Sunday. 

The tournament, which aimed to raise funds for the school’s boundary wall, drew participation from 33 schools across various regions of the country.

In the football semifinal, Otjivero Combined School (CS) faced off against Okamatapati. The match ended in a one-all draw during regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout where Okamatapati clinched a 3-2 victory. 

Otjivero CS then awaited the outcome of the match between Coblenz and the host school, Gustav Kandjii SS. In a closely fought contest, Gustav Kandjii SS triumphed over Coblenz with a 3-2 win on penalties.

In the final, Gustav Kandjii SS secured the football championship by defeating Otjivero CS with a narrow 1-0 victory. The champions were awarded N$6 000, a trophy, and 20 gold medals, while Otjivero CS, as the runners-up, received N$4 000 and 20 silver medals. The third-place prize of N$2 000 was shared between Okamatapati and Coblenz, as it was too late to a match.

The netball competition saw Gustav Kandjii SS clinching a decisive win against Mokganedi Tlhabanello Senior School from Drimiopsis in the first semifinal, with a score of 18-6, earning them a spot in the final. 

In the second semifinal, Epako SS from Gobabis narrowly lost to Epukiro SS with a score of 19-17 in a hard-fought match.

Gustav Kandjii SS continued their dominant run by defeating Epukiro SS in the final with a score of 25-20 to claim the netball title. The winning netball team took home N$4 000, a trophy and 12 gold medals, while Epukiro SS received N$2 500 and 12 silver medals as the runners-up. The third-place prize of N$1 500 was split between Mokganedi Tlhabanello and Epako as the match could not be played due to time constraints. –zngaruka@yahoo.com