By Kuvee Kangueehi
KEETMANSHOOP
The Oshana Region became the new holders of the Namibian Newspaper Cup when it beat favourirtes Khomas Region 2-1 yesterday at the Keetmanshoop Stadium in Keetmanshoop.
Oshana drew first blood early in the first half when their midfielder Philemon Haipenge found the back of the net to shock the Khomas team and trigger wild celebrations around the stadium. The team from the far northern region did not lie down after taking the lead and continued putting pressure on the two-time champions who were really struggling to contain Oshana.
The Oshana team really had themselves to blame for not extending the lead before halftime and were almost punished at the stroke of halftime when Black Africa striker, Jerome Louis, failed to convert an easy chance with only the goalkeeper to beat. The halftime score was 1-0.
After the interval, the Khomas Region put the match into a different gear and had the Oshana team on their back foot and it came as no surprise when Edward Asino equalised from a free kick. Asino slotted the ball into the bottom right corner and gave Black Africa goalkeeper Abongile, who was voted the goalkeeper of the tournament no chance at all.
It was game on now, and despite Khomas enjoying the psychological advantage, Oshana was not going to give up the fight easily and pressed for the winning goal.
With the clock ticking, Oshana mounted pressure on Khomas Region and the latter started conceding to many free kicks. Khomas was severely punished for their sloppy play when Oshana converted a free kick from outside the area to score the winning goal with only four minutes to go.
Despite Khomas committing more men forward, Oshana Region held on to their lead and recorded a famous victory to be crowned as the 7th winners of the Newspaper Cup. The victory was also special in the sense that it was the first time that a team outside traditional football powerhouse regions won the competition.
The Oshana Region walked away with N$15 000 in prize money, gold medals, a floating trophy and a winners’ plate. Khomas players received N$7 500 prize money and silver medals for their troubles. Free scoring striker Jerome Louis of the Khomas team which managed to score 17 goals in four matches, was the top goalscorer with eight goals to his name and also voted as the Player of the Tournament. Otjozondjupa was named The Namibian Newspaper Cup Fair Play team.
The Newspaper Cup features Under-20 teams from the 13 political regions of the country and has been sponsored to the tune of more than half-a-million dollars this year.
In the losers’ section the tournaments whipping boys Oshikoto lost 1-2 against Ohangwena while Otjozondjupa thrashed Kunene by 7-0.
In the other match Caprivi had the better of Kavango winning the encounter 4-3.