Arrows to dig deep in Cup

ELEVEN Arrows will once again be forced to dig deep in their attempts to reach the MTC NFA Cup semi-finals, after being drawn against Ramblers in the quarter-finals of the competition, slated for the Oshakati Independence Stadium on March 31.

Black Africa and Orlando Pirates have relatively easy fixtures against lower division outfits Mighty Gunners and Eleven Brothers, while African Stars face Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) in a match that can produce some fireworks. Arrows will need to prove that their 3-1 victory over Civics at Keetmanshoop over the weekend was no fluke, as Ramblers will aim at pushing them to the limit.Arrows puzzled the Civics defence the entire match with every push upfront, while they defended with determination against the two-time league champions, who were favourites to go all the way in the competition.Arrows official Gabriel Tjombe yesterday said that his team, which mostly consists of young players, is poised to make it to the final of the tournament.He said it was time for Arrows to bag some silverware and to stand up and be counted as one of the oldest and biggest teams in the country.Midfield genius Rudolf Bester, who has masterminded many victories for his side, will lead them against Ramblers.Arrows had no easy path to the quarter-finals, as they first had to deal with a rigid Golden Bees side they beat 2-0 at Tsumeb, before being drawn against Civics.Ramblers is a formidable entity and the Walvis Bay side will have to once again dig deep to overcome the challenge set to be posed by Ramblers.Ramblers, who made it into the quarter-finals by winning 5-1 on penalties against Invincible, will be hoping to improve on their form as they struggled to score at the weekend.African Stars will make it a point to advance against SKW, but it will be a question of lifting their performance a bit higher after nearly stumbling against Oshakati City at Otjiwarongo.Stars tried in vain to find the net despite their 5-4 win on penalties, but SKW will be tough to beat as they put in a solid performance against Blue Boys which they beat 4-0 to advance.SKW, captained by former Brave Warriors defender Eric ‘Omes’ Aoseb, have the ability to upset Stars, judging by the strong attacks they launched from the wings, while their defenders are rock solid.MTC Cup defending champions Orlando Pirates, who cruised through to the next stage with a staggering nine goals against Tough Guys, will be given a golden chance to make it to the next stage.BA will also have the chance to reach the semi-finals after their 5-0 nailing of minnows Major Power at the weekend, but should avoid being overconfident, as Mighty Gunners are no pushovers.Mighty Gunners, under the tutelage of former Black Africa great Dawid Snewe, blasted Volcano 5-1 at the weekend to make it through, but their good run in the competition will now be tested to the ultimate.Arrows will need to prove that their 3-1 victory over Civics at Keetmanshoop over the weekend was no fluke, as Ramblers will aim at pushing them to the limit.Arrows puzzled the Civics defence the entire match with every push upfront, while they defended with determination against the two-time league champions, who were favourites to go all the way in the competition.Arrows official Gabriel Tjombe yesterday said that his team, which mostly consists of young players, is poised to make it to the final of the tournament.He said it was time for Arrows to bag some silverware and to stand up and be counted as one of the oldest and biggest teams in the country.Midfield genius Rudolf Bester, who has masterminded many victories for his side, will lead them against Ramblers.Arrows had no easy path to the quarter-finals, as they first had to deal with a rigid Golden Bees side they beat 2-0 at Tsumeb, before being drawn against Civics.Ramblers is a formidable entity and the Walvis Bay side will have to once again dig deep to overcome the challenge set to be posed by Ramblers.Ramblers, who made it into the quarter-finals by winning 5-1 on penalties against Invincible, will be hoping to improve on their form as they struggled to score at the weekend.African Stars will make it a point to advance against SKW, but it will be a question of lifting their performance a bit higher after nearly stumbling against Oshakati City at Otjiwarongo.Stars tried in vain to find the net despite their 5-4 win on penalties, but SKW will be tough to beat as they put in a solid performance against Blue Boys which they beat 4-0 to advance.SKW, captained by former Brave Warriors defender Eric ‘Omes’ Aoseb, have the ability to upset Stars, judging by the strong attacks they launched from the wings, while their defenders are rock solid.MTC Cup defending champions Orlando Pirates, who cruised through to the next stage with a staggering nine goals against Tough Guys, will be given a golden chance to make it to the next stage.BA will also have the chance to reach the semi-finals after their 5-0 nailing of minnows Major Power at the weekend, but should avoid being overconfident, as Mighty Gunners are no pushovers.Mighty Gunners, under the tutelage of former Black Africa great Dawid Snewe, blasted Volcano 5-1 at the weekend to make it through, but their good run in the competition will now be tested to the ultimate.