2015-12-15Staff Report 2 Windhoek Former MTC Premiership campaigners King Kauluma Palace Football Club clinched the inaugural edition of the Tafel Lager Regional Cup at Oshakati’s Independence Stadium on Sunday. Affectionately known as KK Palace in football circles, the Ondangwa-based outfit outclassed Omusati Region’s Young Stars by two unanswered goals in the final to lay their hands on the coveted trophy. Isaac Banda and Andreas Tores Iindongo scored a goal apiece in the 50-team tourney that attracted teams from the four northern regions. KK Palace were the proud recipients of N$60 000 in addition to the N$25 000 they won the previous weekend as Oshana regional champions in the preliminary round of the same competition, while Stars had to be satisfied with a consolation prize of N$30 000 for the runner-up spot. In the 3rd place play-off, Ohangwena Nampol and Omuntele Warriors (Oshikoto) played to a goalless draw, with the cops coming out triumphant in the dreaded penalty shootout (3-1). The law enforcers won N$15 000 for their efforts, while their victim, Omuntele, became N$10 000 richer. In semifinals on Saturday Young Stars saw off Ohangwena Nampol (2-0) with KK Palace annihilating Omuntele Warriors 9-0 to reach the final. Palace were crowned Oshana regional winners midweek with an emphatic 2-0 win against Khuse FC, while Omuntele Warriors defeated Onathinge United 3-1 in the Oshikoto regional leg of the 2015 Tafel Lager Regional Cup. NFA president Frans Mbidi expressed satisfaction with the talent on display during the two weekends of adrenaline-pumping action. “It was top class football, which gifted the players the ideal platform to up their game in the presence of Brave Warriors’ mentor, Ricardo Mannetti. “Going forward we will have to revisit the dates of the Tafel Lager Cup in the future to ensure attendance increases next year.” He expressed disappointment with the low turnout, but was quick to acknowledge that the association has learned a few lessons in terms of timing and scheduling. “Going forward, for next year’s edition we will go all-out to put measures in place that would attract more spectators to the matches.” The Namibian football boss cited the approaching festive season, coupled by the customary traditional wedding ceremonies and the English Premier League reaching its climax as some of the main reasons for the poor attendance. 2015-12-15Staff Report 2
