Pirates prepare for cup tie
Orlando Pirates coach Woody Jacobs says his team is busy with intense preparations for the upcoming DebMarine Namibia Cup.
Jacobs says the players have been idle for close to two years, something which has hurt him a lot as soccer is a great part of him.
The coach says it will be difficult to get the players on form but it is a job he is looking forward to.
The outspoken coach says the N$18 000 participating fee that each team received is the start of great things to come. “We did not have any money, now we do, so we need to grab what we received and make use of it.”
However, he emphasises that he does not want to focus too much on the money but rather on getting his players prepared for the knockout tournament and comfortable with the new environment they will be playing in.
In the past the premier league has been marred by personal clashes and infighting, something Jacob says should stop in order for everyone to progress.
“Many things have happened in the past and with that players suffered a lot, but I am excited about the fact that the president intervened and showed the nation that soccer in this country will go on, so let us all focus on building the game we love.”
Speaking about the fans, Jacobs says they have been starved of games for too long but it is up to them to invest in local clubs by buying club shirts and filling the stadiums on match day.
“You have been crying for soccer, now come through and fill the empty chairs. Stop supporting European players and support local as well. We need you as much as you need us.”
He also encourages rival teams to stand up and give potential sponsors a reason for giving their hard-earned money to their clubs.
Clashes in DebMarine Namibia Cup will kick off on 22 and 23 April at Windhoek's Sam Nujoma Stadium and the Oscar Norich Stadium at Tsumeb.
Each club from the Round of 32 will receive N$18 000 for preparations while the winners will walk away with N$500 000.
Action at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay and the Mokati Stadium takes place on 29 April and again on 30 April at the latter venue.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Jacobs says the players have been idle for close to two years, something which has hurt him a lot as soccer is a great part of him.
The coach says it will be difficult to get the players on form but it is a job he is looking forward to.
The outspoken coach says the N$18 000 participating fee that each team received is the start of great things to come. “We did not have any money, now we do, so we need to grab what we received and make use of it.”
However, he emphasises that he does not want to focus too much on the money but rather on getting his players prepared for the knockout tournament and comfortable with the new environment they will be playing in.
In the past the premier league has been marred by personal clashes and infighting, something Jacob says should stop in order for everyone to progress.
“Many things have happened in the past and with that players suffered a lot, but I am excited about the fact that the president intervened and showed the nation that soccer in this country will go on, so let us all focus on building the game we love.”
Speaking about the fans, Jacobs says they have been starved of games for too long but it is up to them to invest in local clubs by buying club shirts and filling the stadiums on match day.
“You have been crying for soccer, now come through and fill the empty chairs. Stop supporting European players and support local as well. We need you as much as you need us.”
He also encourages rival teams to stand up and give potential sponsors a reason for giving their hard-earned money to their clubs.
Clashes in DebMarine Namibia Cup will kick off on 22 and 23 April at Windhoek's Sam Nujoma Stadium and the Oscar Norich Stadium at Tsumeb.
Each club from the Round of 32 will receive N$18 000 for preparations while the winners will walk away with N$500 000.
Action at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay and the Mokati Stadium takes place on 29 April and again on 30 April at the latter venue.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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