…Stars vs Mamelodi Sundowns
WINDHOEK – As widely speculated Katutura glamour football club African Stars came out on top in a marathon SMS voting competition to determine the local Premier League team that will face South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the maiden edition of the newly introduced annual Dr Hage Geingob Soccer Cup.
The match is slated for the Independence Stadium on Sunday. Prior to the voting all clubs campaigning in the country’s flagship league were encouraged to urge their supporters to vote for them by SMSing the name of the club to 5002 at a cost of only N$2.00. Stars finished tops with a total of 7061 votes, followed by Black Africa in a distant 2nd place with 3459 votes. Tigers took 3rd place with 3166 votes with Orlando Pirates surprisingly trailing in 4th position on 1259 votes. Undisputed Namibian champions Black Africa will play Tigers in the curtain raiser.
A total of 15693 SMSs were received during the voting competition and as for the appearance fee, Stars will walk away with a handsome N$150 000, while both Black Africa and Tigers will pocket N$100 000 each. Gates open at 11h00 with the first exhibition match between the Diplomats and Parliamentarians starting at 12h00 to be followed by the BA versus Tigers match. Stars and Sundowns confront each other at 16h00. Tickets are available for N$20 per person at all Computicket outlets at Shoprite and Checkers stores countrywide or N$40 at the gate. Meanwhile, the first 3000 spectators will receive free competition regalia.
By Otniel Hembapu