Exciting Bidvest Namibia Cup returns

The Bidvest Namibia Cup is officially back after this year’s edition was launched at a posh event at Supporters Sport Bar in Suiderhof yesterday. While the elimination round of the tournament already kicked off last weekend, the business end (the last 32) is set to take place early next month. Speaking at the launch yesterday, Bidvest Namibia CEO Sebby Kankondi said that the company is again committing itself to local football. “We are committed to helping the NFA to bring the people’s game to the people,” he said. In terms of size, the competition is the biggest in the country with teams from 18 leagues getting a chance to compete in the cup, making it the best vehicle to reach Namibians of all walks of life. The 14 regional second-division sides join the three streams of the first division as well as the elite league in vying for honours in the competition. As far as prize money is concerned, the winners of the cup are set to walk away with N$550 000 while the runners-up will get N$220 000 and the two losing semi-finalists will each receive N$115 000. NFA’s honorary president, Dr Korbinian Amuthenya, on behalf of NFA president John Muinjo, said Bidvest’s continued support showed that football is on the up. “Your decision to invest shows that corporate Namibia is ready to support football development in the country,” he said. The event was also attended by the deputy minister of sport, Juliet Kavetuna, who shared an anecdote of how her father played with the likes of Barry Rukoro, who is now the NFA secretary-general. All-NPL clash The draw for the last 32 was also conducted during the launch, with at least two teams from the Namibia Premier League (NPL) guaranteed to exit the tournament at that stage. Tigers will face Civics while defending Bidvest Namibia Cup champions African Stars will take on Eleven Arrows in the only all-NPL ties of the round. The rest of the NPL sides all have been drawn to play lower-division teams. The elimination round of the various lower divisions is set to continue this weekend with the Southern Stream First Division (SSFD) playoffs taking place in Mariental while the North West First Division (NWFD) will take place on the first weekend of February. The North East First Division (NEFD) elimination round saw Julinho and Cuca Tops emerging as the teams that progressed to the competition proper. The venues of the matches will still be confirmed. The Draw SSFD runners-up v Kunene Regional winners Tigers v Civics Julinho v Blue Waters United Stars v NWFD winners Oshana regional winners v Tura Magic Omaheke Region v Blue Boys SSFD winners v NWFD runners-up Eleven Arrows v African Stars Orlando Pirates v Ohangwena Rundu Chiefs v Oshikoto regional winners Hardap regional winners v Otjozondjupa regional winners Ramblers v Omusati regional winners Erongo regional winners v Kavango runners-up Black Africa v Cuca Tops Zambezi v Karas regional winners Kavango regional winners v Khomas regional winners.