WINDHOEK – The Jacqui Shipanga Academy was on Saturday crowned the 2015 NFA Talent Identification Tournament (TIT) champions after Anna Shikushu’s solitary effort proved enough to hand them a 1-0 victory over Galz & Goals, during the final played at the NFA Technical Centre in the capital.
The Tournament Top Goal-scorer, Shikushu scored the only goal of the match in the second half to seal victory for the JS Academy and consolidate her status as the top goal-scorer with eight goals.
Academy were emphatic 4-0 winners in their seminal clash against Brave Gladiators’ Mamie Kasoana’s 21-Brigade United. National team defender Vistorine Shangula scored two goals before half time and in the second half her teammate Millicent Hikuama scored her brace for a comfortable 4-0 victory and a place in the final.
In the second seminal, the promising Galz & Goals team coached by Namibia Premier league side Tigers midfield strongman Mervin Mbakera, were 2-1 winners over Poly Babes. Annouscka Meyer and Bennie Dennis were on target for the Galz while Mary-Jane Tjihozu scored the only goal for Babes.
In the third-place playoff, 21-Brigade United took the Babes back to school with a comprehensive 3-0 victory to take third place. Kasaona scored a goal in each half while veteran striker Stella Williams was also on target.
In the individual awards, Annouscka Kordom was voted Player of the Tournament with Bennie Dennis (16 years old) voted the Best Young Player. Brave Gladiators Agnes Kauzuu of JS Academy was selected the Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
Galz coach Mervin Mbakera was voted the Best Coach and his team manager Eveline Noreses as Manager of the Tournament. The Referee of the Tournament was Olivia Amuku and another accolade also went to Galz & Goals after they were awarded the Protect the Goal Award.
Altogether, the competition saw 87 goals scored in 13 matches.
Women football now turns its attention to the Brave Gladiators clash against Swaziland on Namibia’s 25th Independence celebrations on March 21 at the Windhoek Independence Stadium.