Africa-Press – Namibia. SKW and Collin Benjamin Soccer Academy are through to the MTC Hopsol Youth Football u19 final, after both secured penalty victories in the semis on Saturday.
SKW beat Ramblers 5-3 on penalties after a goalless draw, while CBSA broke Riverheights’ hearts with a marathon 7-6 penalty victory after a 1-1 draw.
In the first semi, chances were few and far between, as most of the action took place in a midfield battle in the centre of the park.
SKW grew stronger as the match progressed, and Johannes Kakeloye came close to scoring when his shot skimmed the upright, while Elricko Mosiane had an attempt cleared by the defence in the dying minutes.
In the ensuing penalty-shootout, SKW keeper Sem Moses emerged as the hero when he saved one shot, and with all their players finding the target, they went on to win 5-3 on penalties.
In the second semi, Riverheights did most of the early attacking but couldn’t convert their chances.
A freekick by Brooklyn Afrikaner was tipped over the crossbar by CBSA goalie Rodrigues Ganeb; striker Johnson Mahani wasted an opportunity in the box; and another long-range freekick by Afrikaner was well saved by Ganeb.
Instead it was CBSA who took the lead just before half-time, when Rashid Naobeb rounded off a quick counterattack, with a pinpoint header hitting the back of the net.
They nearly went further ahead early in the second half, when a cracking shot by Kristian Hauwanga hit the crossbar, but then suffered a setback shortly after when Willem Nghwal was sent off for a foul.
More chances came at either end, with Adriano Gawab and Ebson Mbaha coming close for CBSA, and Sakala Mufelembe for Riverheights, but CBSA seemed to have done enough to hold on for victory.
Riverheights, however, struck in the dying minutes when Mahani received a great throughball to beat Ganeb at close range and level just before full-time to send the match into penalties.
In a nerve wracking shootout, Ganeb became CBSA’s hero as he saved a shot early on, and although Riverheights’ goalie Joseph Kashululu also saved a shot, Ganeb finally put the issue beyond doubt when he scored the winning goal to give CBSA a marathon penalty victory.
CBSA will now take on SKW in the final next Saturday, while Riverheights will take on Ramblers in the third place play-off.
In the u15 category, meanwhile, ACFA A beat Kasaona FA 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw; SKW beat ACFA B 2-0; DTS beat Swallows 8-7 on penalties, after a goalless draw; and Riverheights beat DSFA 1-0.
In the semi-finals next Friday, ACFA A take on DTS, and SKW take on Riverheights, while the final and third-placed play-off take place on Saturday.
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