Civics, Gunners through to final
Civics and Mighty Gunners are going to contest for N$500 000 in the grand finale of the MTC NFA Cup in Saturday at Vineta Stadium in Swakopmund.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Civics reached the final of the MTC Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup after beating coastal side Blue Waters 5-4 on penalties in a thrilling match at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis on Saturday.
The match was the first semi-final clash of the Cup, with the two teams going into extra time after a goalless 90 minutes.
In extra time, Blue Waters scored first through Dawid Moses with about five minutes left in the second half of additional time. However, his celebration was short-lived with Civics’ Itamunua Keimuine scoring for his side two minutes later.
The match went into a penalty shootout. Civics successfully converted all their five spot kicks while Blue Waters missed their final spot kick.
Civics coach Jeremy Zimmer, who was on his feet instructing the players for the duration of the match, expressed happiness with their result.
“I’m looking forward to the final in Swakopmund, where we will play for the gold medal,” he said.
“We really fought for it and I have to thank my players,” the captain added.
Blue Waters captain Hendrik Somaeb was visibly disappointed with the result.
“I didn’t think it would go this way. I really thought we would be in the final. But life is like this. The match was tight,” he added.
In the second match of the day, Mighty Gunners beat Young African 4-1 on penalties.
African supporters came out in numbers to watch the highly entertaining clash.
Gunners scored two goals in the first half through Olsen Ameb and Vernon Klazen.
But African scored on goal in the second half through Tapiwa Musekiwa to give his side a fighting chance. They then equalised in the last minutes through Ngazikue Kandetu to force the match into extra time.
The match then went down to a penalty shootout, with Gunners emerging victorious.
Gunners coach Gebhardt Hengari was happy with their performance.
“It was a hard-fought battle with a young and energic African side. I’m disappointed with my performers for allowing those goals. But I’m happy we fought back till the last minute. We will just rectify some things.”
“We move on. We will prepare for the third or fourth place,” a very disappointed Mali Ngarizemo said after their loss to Gunners.
All four sides will now head to Swakopmund for the MTC NFA Cup.
African and Blue Waters will face off for third place.
The losing finalists will scoop N$250 000, while the third- and fourth-place finishers will receive N$150 000 and N$100 000 respectively.
Civics reached the final of the MTC Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup after beating coastal side Blue Waters 5-4 on penalties in a thrilling match at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis on Saturday.
The match was the first semi-final clash of the Cup, with the two teams going into extra time after a goalless 90 minutes.
In extra time, Blue Waters scored first through Dawid Moses with about five minutes left in the second half of additional time. However, his celebration was short-lived with Civics’ Itamunua Keimuine scoring for his side two minutes later.
The match went into a penalty shootout. Civics successfully converted all their five spot kicks while Blue Waters missed their final spot kick.
Civics coach Jeremy Zimmer, who was on his feet instructing the players for the duration of the match, expressed happiness with their result.
“I’m looking forward to the final in Swakopmund, where we will play for the gold medal,” he said.
“We really fought for it and I have to thank my players,” the captain added.
Blue Waters captain Hendrik Somaeb was visibly disappointed with the result.
“I didn’t think it would go this way. I really thought we would be in the final. But life is like this. The match was tight,” he added.
In the second match of the day, Mighty Gunners beat Young African 4-1 on penalties.
African supporters came out in numbers to watch the highly entertaining clash.
Gunners scored two goals in the first half through Olsen Ameb and Vernon Klazen.
But African scored on goal in the second half through Tapiwa Musekiwa to give his side a fighting chance. They then equalised in the last minutes through Ngazikue Kandetu to force the match into extra time.
The match then went down to a penalty shootout, with Gunners emerging victorious.
Gunners coach Gebhardt Hengari was happy with their performance.
“It was a hard-fought battle with a young and energic African side. I’m disappointed with my performers for allowing those goals. But I’m happy we fought back till the last minute. We will just rectify some things.”
“We move on. We will prepare for the third or fourth place,” a very disappointed Mali Ngarizemo said after their loss to Gunners.
All four sides will now head to Swakopmund for the MTC NFA Cup.
African and Blue Waters will face off for third place.
The losing finalists will scoop N$250 000, while the third- and fourth-place finishers will receive N$150 000 and N$100 000 respectively.
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