By Confidence Musariri KUISEBMUND Defending MTC-NFA champions Orlando Pirates and cup-games hotshots African Stars stormed towards the country’s most revered silverware, the MTC-NFA Cup here in Walvis Bay over the weekend, after beating their opponents in style. A no-holds-barred club tribal clash was made real when ten-man African Stars offloaded a stubborn First Division outfit, Mighty Gunners 1-0 while Pirates needed the artistry of skilful Etienne Beukes and Patrick Jagger to pip fancied Ramblers 2-1 in the semi-finals. Both matches were played with caution as much action and suspense was reserved for the last part of the matches, to the thrill of the thousands that thronged the stadium. African Stars failed to unsettle Mighty Gunners in the first half with the First Division side showing more composure and determination. The highlight of the first match was the deserved red card handed to Isaac Mwinga by referee Reinhold Shikongo. The African Stars striker seemed agitated by his rued chances at goal when he head-butted Mighty Gunners’ Paulus Shingenge onto the ground. On the stroke of half time, Referee Shikongo had spared Shingenge after an infringement on Stars’ goal-keeper Max Mbaeva. Shingenge was approached by a visibly aggressive Mwinga who said a few words before head-butting the Gunners leading front man onto the ground. Although none of the two sides showed any sides of semi-final momentum, it all needed a 57th minute free-kick from Steve Tjeenao to separate the two. Stars never seemed unfazed by their numerical inferiority as they upped the tempo in the second half. Coach Gilbert Rwazoka who did not tinker with his substitute’s bench for the semi-final was upbeat on his after-match analysis. “Since I joined Stars two seasons ago, I have been in three finals so far and none of those finals have left me or the Stars supporters smiling. I think this Cup will be the best platform to show the nation that we are really cup kings,” he said, as his team now means Orlando Pirates. On their duty, Pirates will have their faithful supporters to thank as they cheered the team against a marauding Ramblers. It was a see-saw affair for 90 minutes and hardly were fans on their seats. Pirates midfielders Klaas Blom, Patrick Jagger and Etienne Beukes were on song as they found a one-way passage on the right wing. Their efforts were awarded with a Beukes first half strike which caught the Ramblers defence off-guard. The match was full of individual brilliance for much of the first half and Riaan Cloete did little to punish his former paymasters as he was kept under guard by Pirates’ Victor Blaauw. Nonetheless, the Rammies also had a better share of midfield possession with Victor Helu and Bradley Wermann being assisted by Captain Michael Pienaar. It did not take much before hard-running Lazarus Kaimbi equalised with a grass-cutting shot that evaded the Pirates’ defence. The goal livened up the pace as both sides sought the all-important match-winner. No long thereafter, Klaas Blom and Etienne Beukes were back to haunt Ramblers’ Godi Mecunyana, Erastus and Richard Ndjavera in defence. With Patrick Jagger providing the cover, the duo’s efforts were twice wasted by Wilfred Coetzee. Midway through the second half, the trio exchanged deft touches on the touchline, and Jagger in one instance dribbled past three defenders. The result was a corner-kick by Beukes which was nodded into the far angle of the empty net to make it 2-1. What followed was a story of suspense and near misses. Ramblers launched multiple assaults on Pirates’ rear-guard and with the match shifting into floodlight status, the echoes of the fans’ noises filled a Walvis Bay going to sleep. It was the sort of flare this town has been longing for since both their premier league teams Blue Waters and Eleven Arrows can no longer afford such football. Ramblers threw all systems out. But even the introduction of former international Costa Khaiseb and Samson John failed to do the trick. Pirates’ coach continued attacking, not relying on the slender lead. In the end, it was not surprising that most players from both sides could be seen visibly crying. Crying because they had played their hearts out to be in the final, and crying because justice had not been done for them to miss the finals. And coach Ali Akan cannot wait to face a club whose fan base is considered the most passionate of all soccer bases. African Stars is traditionally an Otjiherero club whose slogan ‘Stars Stay Stars’ while Pirates are the roots of the Damara tribe with a code, ‘Once a Pirate Always a Pirate’. And come May the 19th in Windhoek, only a cup final can determine which slogan is eternal.