Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibian Newspaper Cup returns next weekend after an absence of three years when Namibia’s 14 regions will battle it out for honours in the under 20 football and netball competitions.
THE Namibian Newspaper Cup returns next weekend after an absence of three years when Namibia’s 14 regions will battle it out for honours in the under 20 football and netball competitions.
In the football competition Group A and B consist of four teams each and Group C and D of three each, with only the four group winners going through to the semifinals.
Group C promises to be extra tough, with the hosts Oshana, taking on Khomas and Erongo for the solitary semifinal spot.
Khomas have the best record of all the participating regions having won the cup four times and finishing as runners-up thrice.
Their coach, former Brave Warriors defender Ivan Namaseb said they have been rebuilding their squad over the past year.
“We have a good squad, we have prepared well and we are going there to win the title. It’s mostly a new squad with most of the players coming through from the Khomas u17 squad that competed in the Scorpion Zinc Cup last year when we reached the semifinals,” he said.
“Most of these players have been active in the MTC Hopsol League where they play for teams like Ramblers, Kaizen Football Academy, ACFA, Kasaona and Swallows, while some are also competing in the Khomas Youth League,” he added.
Some of the players to keep an eye on include midfielders Rajmanzo Winslow, Kai Averia, Xavier McLune and defender Usher Uazenga.
“It’s going to be a tough group. Oshana as the hosts will have all the support behind them and we know Erongo, we have played them before. We will have to work very hard and take each game like a final, so we will have to go full out,” Namaseb said.
Oshana have won the title twice, with their last win coming in 2016, while they have finished as runners-up three times. Philip Dala, Oshana’s team advisor and representative on the NFA board said they are aiming to defend their territory.
“We’ve been training for three months so we are ready. We want the title to remain in Oshana and we are confident of winning. Khomas and Erongo have had regular youth soccer leagues so they will be tough, but we are ready to entertain them and we want to protect our territory,” he said.
“Most of our players graduated from our u15 team that won the Coca-Cola Cup a few years ago,” he added.
Some of their top players to look out for include goalkeeper James Hamupembe, defender Sheya Petrus, midfielder Moses Hamutenya and fellow midfielder Anan Angula, who is the son of former Brave Warriors striker Cascas Angula.
Dala said he expected a lot of support from the home fans.
“Oshana is a sport loving region, and with our home ground advantage, our fans will definitely play a role. It’s going to be packed – everyone is talking about the Newspaper Cup and there’s a lot of other things happening like the Northern Trade Fair as well.”
Erongo have won the title once, in 2012, and also finished as runners-up once, in 2017.
Their coach John Paku said they had a young and exciting squad.
“We have a very young squad, about 80 percent of these players will still be available for the next two to three years, and I’m sure you’ll still hear a lot about these players,” he said, highlighting defender Klaus Kakupa, and midfielders Herman Uwuseb, and Mbeurora Muraranganda.
“Kakupa is an all-rounder, he can play at right back or lock, he can even play over the whole field – he’s very talented and has a bright future. Uwuseb is a hard-working midfielder who was called up to the national u20 squad last year, and Muraranganda was a midfielder, but I’ve been using him as our top man and he’s a very good striker,” he said.
Paku said he expected Oshana to start as the group favourites.
“I think Oshana will have the advantage because of their home crowd as well as the weather – we are playing them at 13h00 so I expect it to be hot. We play a pressing game, so maybe I’ll have to change my tactics a bit for that match, I’m busy working on something,” he said.
“I know Khomas well and know what type of soccer they play, its almost the same as our style. I know their players well and I know where we can beat them,” he added.
In the football competition Group A and B consist of four teams each and Group C and D of three each, with only the four group winners going through to the semifinals.
Group C promises to be extra tough, with the hosts Oshana, taking on Khomas and Erongo for the solitary semifinal spot.
Khomas have the best record of all the participating regions having won the cup four times and finishing as runners-up thrice.
Their coach, former Brave Warriors defender Ivan Namaseb said they have been rebuilding their squad over the past year.
“We have a good squad, we have prepared well and we are going there to win the title. It’s mostly a new squad with most of the players coming through from the Khomas u17 squad that competed in the Scorpion Zinc Cup last year when we reached the semifinals,” he said.
“Most of these players have been active in the MTC Hopsol League where they play for teams like Ramblers, Kaizen Football Academy, ACFA, Kasaona and Swallows, while some are also competing in the Khomas Youth League,” he added.
Some of the players to keep an eye on include midfielders Rajmanzo Winslow, Kai Averia, Xavier McLune and defender Usher Uazenga.
“It’s going to be a tough group. Oshana as the hosts will have all the support behind them and we know Erongo, we have played them before. We will have to work very hard and take each game like a final, so we will have to go full out,” Namaseb said.
Oshana have won the title twice, with their last win coming in 2016, while they have finished as runners-up three times. Philip Dala, Oshana’s team advisor and representative on the NFA board said they are aiming to defend their territory.
“We’ve been training for three months so we are ready. We want the title to remain in Oshana and we are confident of winning. Khomas and Erongo have had regular youth soccer leagues so they will be tough, but we are ready to entertain them and we want to protect our territory,” he said.
“Most of our players graduated from our u15 team that won the Coca-Cola Cup a few years ago,” he added.
Some of their top players to look out for include goalkeeper James Hamupembe, defender Sheya Petrus, midfielder Moses Hamutenya and fellow midfielder Anan Angula, who is the son of former Brave Warriors striker Cascas Angula.
Dala said he expected a lot of support from the home fans.
“Oshana is a sport loving region, and with our home ground advantage, our fans will definitely play a role. It’s going to be packed – everyone is talking about the Newspaper Cup and there’s a lot of other things happening like the Northern Trade Fair as well.”
Erongo have won the title once, in 2012, and also finished as runners-up once, in 2017.
Their coach John Paku said they had a young and exciting squad.
“We have a very young squad, about 80 percent of these players will still be available for the next two to three years, and I’m sure you’ll still hear a lot about these players,” he said, highlighting defender Klaus Kakupa, and midfielders Herman Uwuseb, and Mbeurora Muraranganda.
“Kakupa is an all-rounder, he can play at right back or lock, he can even play over the whole field – he’s very talented and has a bright future. Uwuseb is a hard-working midfielder who was called up to the national u20 squad last year, and Muraranganda was a midfielder, but I’ve been using him as our top man and he’s a very good striker,” he said.
Paku said he expected Oshana to start as the group favourites.
“I think Oshana will have the advantage because of their home crowd as well as the weather – we are playing them at 13h00 so I expect it to be hot. We play a pressing game, so maybe I’ll have to change my tactics a bit for that match, I’m busy working on something,” he said.
“I know Khomas well and know what type of soccer they play, its almost the same as our style. I know their players well and I know where we can beat them,” he added.
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