Young African shift focus to league
Defending Debmarine Namibia Cup champions, Young African, will play no further part in this year's competition after being eliminated in the round of 32.
Young African will now shift their focus to either winning the Namibia Premier League (NPL) or finishing second, after their surprise exit from the Debmarine Namibia Cup this past weekend.
Black Africa denied the champions a chance to advance to the round of 16, after defeating the Cattle Boy's 10-9 on penalties, following a 2-2 normal time draw.
“It was a very disappointing exit from the tournament given that we had the lead in the game. It was the lapse in concentration from the boys which cost us the game. I am however grateful for what the players have done during the season,” Young African coach Marley Ngarizemo said.
The coach added his team's ambition now is to finish in second position or even win the league, if log leaders African Stars fail to stay the course. “I will give the boys a rest before we travel to the coast to meet Blue Waters and Eleven Arrows.
“Our main focus is now to push for second spot or even pip African Stars at the post, because we are just ten points behind them with five games to play.
“Finishing second will be a great achievement for us and winning the league will be a bonus
“We are in third with 42 points, while Black Africa is second with 47 points and Stars is first with 52 points.
“This means that anything can happen and the clubs above us can drop points in their last five games,” Ngarizemo said.
The action-packed Debmarine Cup encounter saw Young African take the lead after 12 minutes, through striker Harold Kandaera, and three minutes later they doubled their lead, courtesy of midfielder Ikuaterua Hoveka, to put them in the driving seat.
But the Lively Lions, Black Africa, regrouped and bounced back through a penalty taken by experienced defender Emilio Martin on 22 minutes, and in the second half they continued to press for an equalizer, which finally came with 59 minutes played, through veteran striker Jerome Louis.
Tura Magic also progressed via a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over last year's finalists Mighty Gunners, following a goalless draw.
At the Omulunga Stadium in Grootfontein, Life Fighters and Golden Bees renewed their rivalry, and after a one-all draw, it was the boys from Outjo, Bees, who won 4-3 on penalties. Dynamos also advanced on penalties in their tie against Onathinge United, winning 5-4 after a one-all draw.
At Tsumeb, Orlando Pirates beat Outjo Academy 3-1, Blue Waters thrashed Fresh United 4-0 and Chiefs Santos crushed Reho Madrid 4-0, while Civics also advanced 2-0 over Rundu Chiefs. Unam beat Eastern Chiefs 7-2.
The 2018 Debmarine Namibia Cup Last 16 teams are Unam, Blue Waters, Black Africa, Dynamos, Golden Bees, African Stars, Once Again, Khuse FC, Tura Magic, Swakopmund FC, Chiefs Santos, Civics, Eleven Arrows, Young Chiefs, Khomas Nampol and Orlando Pirates.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
Black Africa denied the champions a chance to advance to the round of 16, after defeating the Cattle Boy's 10-9 on penalties, following a 2-2 normal time draw.
“It was a very disappointing exit from the tournament given that we had the lead in the game. It was the lapse in concentration from the boys which cost us the game. I am however grateful for what the players have done during the season,” Young African coach Marley Ngarizemo said.
The coach added his team's ambition now is to finish in second position or even win the league, if log leaders African Stars fail to stay the course. “I will give the boys a rest before we travel to the coast to meet Blue Waters and Eleven Arrows.
“Our main focus is now to push for second spot or even pip African Stars at the post, because we are just ten points behind them with five games to play.
“Finishing second will be a great achievement for us and winning the league will be a bonus
“We are in third with 42 points, while Black Africa is second with 47 points and Stars is first with 52 points.
“This means that anything can happen and the clubs above us can drop points in their last five games,” Ngarizemo said.
The action-packed Debmarine Cup encounter saw Young African take the lead after 12 minutes, through striker Harold Kandaera, and three minutes later they doubled their lead, courtesy of midfielder Ikuaterua Hoveka, to put them in the driving seat.
But the Lively Lions, Black Africa, regrouped and bounced back through a penalty taken by experienced defender Emilio Martin on 22 minutes, and in the second half they continued to press for an equalizer, which finally came with 59 minutes played, through veteran striker Jerome Louis.
Tura Magic also progressed via a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over last year's finalists Mighty Gunners, following a goalless draw.
At the Omulunga Stadium in Grootfontein, Life Fighters and Golden Bees renewed their rivalry, and after a one-all draw, it was the boys from Outjo, Bees, who won 4-3 on penalties. Dynamos also advanced on penalties in their tie against Onathinge United, winning 5-4 after a one-all draw.
At Tsumeb, Orlando Pirates beat Outjo Academy 3-1, Blue Waters thrashed Fresh United 4-0 and Chiefs Santos crushed Reho Madrid 4-0, while Civics also advanced 2-0 over Rundu Chiefs. Unam beat Eastern Chiefs 7-2.
The 2018 Debmarine Namibia Cup Last 16 teams are Unam, Blue Waters, Black Africa, Dynamos, Golden Bees, African Stars, Once Again, Khuse FC, Tura Magic, Swakopmund FC, Chiefs Santos, Civics, Eleven Arrows, Young Chiefs, Khomas Nampol and Orlando Pirates.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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