2006-01-17Staff Report 2 By Kuvee Kangueehi WINDHOEK CONTRARY to the tradition of the MTC Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup, the big guns made it safely to the next round of the competition with no major setbacks following the first round of the competition in Tsumeb and Mariental. The Namibia Premier League clubs in fact won most of their games with huge score margins to underline their supremacy. Most of the premier league strikers hoping to scoop the N$ 2 000 for the top goalscorer of the tournament helped themselves with hat-tricks. In Mariental Orlando Pirates and African Stars were the only teams from the top flight who were made to sweat for a place in the second round. Pirates really had a tough encounter against Fly Eagles who were at home in Mariental and enjoying undivided support. The Flying Eagles supporters really rallied behind their team and every time the Eagles were in possession they screamed as if their team was about to score. The Eagles opened the scoring early in the first half and enjoyed a lot of ball possession and it appeared as if the match was heading for the first upset of the weekend. However, Pirates recollected themselves and scored an equaliser just before halftime through their Under 20 international Etienne Beukes. In the second half Pirates made it 2-1 to restore the status quo but the Mariental-based side Flying Eagles continued to fight like a wounded lion but they wasted clear chances. Pirates made their passage safe when they scored their third goal midway through the second half. The Eagles were given a chance to redeem themselves when they were awarded a penalty shortly afterwards but the First Division club missed from the spot. But Pirates were not finish yet and scored their fourth goal before Eagles scored a consolation goal deep in the second half. In another exciting match at Mariental Young Eleven surprised African Stars with an early lead which they held on to until in the second half. In the second stanza the First National Bank finalists stepped up a gear and scored two goals to settle the contest. Results in the first round of the MTC NFA Cup played on Saturday and Sunday in Tsumeb and Mariental. Saturday Tsumeb Black Hawks 0 - 10 Golden Bees Arsenal 0-0 Gariseb Orlando (Arsenal won 3-1 on penalties) Eleven Arrows 9 - 0 Namudjebo Ramblers 3 - 0 Mighty Gunners Blue Waters 7 - 0 KK Palace Oshakati City 3 - 0 Ben- fica Mariental Deportivo Alaves 4 - 2 Desert Rollers African Stars 2 - 1Young Eleven SKW 2 - 0 Friends Black Africa 8 - 2 Diamond City Sunday Tsumeb Blue Birds 0- 3 Golden Bees Touch and Go 5 - 1 Life Fighters Young Chiefs 0 - 4United Stars Mariental Tigers 9 - 1 African Blizards Civics 7 - 0 Black Morocco Chiefs Orlando Pirates 4 - 2Flying Eagles 2006-01-17Staff Report 2
