Africa-Press – Namibia. CHILE Futsal Club and Khomas Nampol were crowned Namibia’s futsal champions when they won the men and women’s finals of the Express Credit Futsal League on Saturday.
Both finals went down to the wire, with Chile beating the defending champions X Men 4-3, while Khomas Nampol beat Tura Magic, who were also the defending champions, 5-4.
In the men’s final, the two sides weighed up evenly in the first half, but Chile broke the deadlock with two goals in quick succession early in the second half through Romario Mathys and goalie Welcome Nail, who hit the back of the net with a scorching free kick.
Tevin Pretorius opened the X Men’s account when he scored from a quick counter-attack, but another cracking shot by Mathys put Chile 3-1 ahead. The X Men once again narrowed the gap when a defensive mix-up between Nail and Benet Uirab saw the latter’s back pass rolling into an empty net, but a great team goal, rounded off by Boniface Siyanga put Chile 4-2 ahead with three minutes to go.
In the final stages, Wesley Otto grabbed a late consolation goal for the X Men, but it wasn’t enough as Chile held on for a deserved victory. After the final, Chile FC player Boniface Siyanga said their hard work throughout the season had paid off.
“The final was very tough. We played the quarters and the semifinals earlier today, but this one was definitely the toughest match. But hard work pays off – from the first game of the season, we pushed hard in training and the result here shows that it was all worthwhile, so thumbs up to the boys,” he said.
“It feels very good to be the champions. We respect the X Men because they are the defending champions and to come back again this year and reach the final is a great achievement so well done to them. They put in a good performance, but at the end of the day there can only be one winner. We will definitely be back next season to defend our title,” he added.
Tura Magic entered the women’s final as the favourites as the defending champions, while they had also beaten Khomas Nampol 5-3 in their earlier league match.
Khomas Nampol, however, kept their best form for last as they took an early 2-0 lead through a brace by Metutjo Tjivikua. Kleintjie Fredericks opened Tura’s account, but a goal by Deborah Ajibola put Khomas Nampol 3-1 up midway through the first half.
Tura Magic kept on attacking, but Khomas Nampol’s defence was excellently marshalled by captain Maggy Paulus. Tura’s pressure however told just before half time when Renecia Gawanas scored from a counter-attack.
Beyonce Cloete equalised for Tura Magic early in the second half, but Khomas Nampol stepped up a gear and goals by Maggy Paulus and Ajibolah’s second put them 5-3 ahead.
Fredericks grabbed her second with a fine solo goal, to reduce the deficit to 5-4 and set up a tense finish, but Khomas Nampol managed to hold on for the victory.
“It was tough and very competitive, but I’m glad we came out on top because the team was quite exhausted after the semifinal,” Paulus said after the final.
“We kept one player behind to make sure that we don’t get caught off guard, because that’s how they beat us the last time, so we learnt our lesson. It’s very exciting to be the champions this season – hopefully our bosses will see this and will come on board to help us out,” she added.
Paulus, who has previously also represented the Brave Gladiators, had a word of support for her former team mates ahead of their match against Zambia tomorrow.
“I wish them luck – they must make us proud against Zambia. We are behind them all the way, so they must give it everything they’ve got.” In the Boys u17 final, UCFA 1 beat UCFA 2 5-2, while PAY beat Orange Babies 3-0 in the Girls u17 final.
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