2006-03-14Staff Report 2 By Kuvee Kangueehi WINDHOEK African Stars and United Africa Tigers crashed out of the Mobile Telecommunications (MTC) NFA cup on Friday after they were beaten by Ramblers and Sports Klub Windhoek (SKW) at the Sam Nujoma Stadium respectively. Ramblers and SKW now join Civics, Blue Waters, Eleven Arrows, Orlando Pirates, Oshakati City and Chief Santos in the last eight of the most lucrative football competition of the country. In the quarterfinals, which did not take place a fortnight ago because of the floods in Mariental, United Africa Tigers were held to a goalless draw by premier league rookies SKW FC after ninety minutes of football. Despite enjoying the lion's share of possession throughout the game, the Donkerhoek Boys failed to find the net and have themselves to blame for wasting dozens of opportunities. Notably, attacking mid-fielder Leonard Stanley and striker Nelson Akwenye were the biggest culprits and could have sealed the match with a successful strike. However SKW also had its chances to steal the match but new Tigers FC goalkeeper Chester Uazenga was always equal to the task when called upon. The NPL rookies' were the happiest of the two sides when the match had to be settled through penalties and booked their place beating Tigers 4 - 2 on penalties. In the second match of the night Ramblers FC looked the better team from the first whistle and were the worthy winners of the game. The Pionierspark-based club opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes after some good work from Victor Helu on the right wing and Lazarus Kaimbi finishing off the move. The speedy striker terrorized the African Stars defense and former Brave Warriors defender Mali Ngarizemo struggled all night to contain the speedy striker. However, towards the end of the first half Stars pulled one back after they were awarded a penalty. Stars midfielder Freedom Puriza made no mistake to put the ball in the right bottom corner to make the scoreline one-all at halftime. In the second half Ramblers increased their lead after a well-taken free kick and from that point it became one-way traffic. African Stars failed to create any clear-cut chance in the second half and despite bringing on Seven Endjala they could get pass the Ramblers defense well-marshalled by Michael Pienaar. The score remained 2-1 to ensure Ramblers book their place in their last eight. Meanwhile, the sixth edition of The Namibian Newspaper Regional Cup draw is scheduled for 16 March at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Soccer House. A media release Thursday read that Under 20 regional sides all over the country will engage in the lucrative tournament. The newly established Brave Warriors will be in action during the occasion. The NFA expressed its profound gratitude towards The Namibian newspaper for sponsoring the prestigious event that contributes positively to the development of football at regional level. It said The Namibian Newspaper Regional Cup features prominently on the NFA's annual football calendar and in the development of the entire national Under 20 team, which participated in the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup in South Africa last year. The draw will take place at 11h00, and Otjozondjupa Region is the defending champion. - Additional reporting Nampa 2006-03-14Staff Report 2
