BA clinches Nujoma Cup

BLACK Africa got back to cup winning ways when the team grabbed its first major trophy in eight years on Sunday.

BA defeated rivals Ramblers 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out in the final of the New Era Sam Nujoma Cup at the Kuisebmund Stadium. The teams were deadlocked 0-0 at the end of the 90 minutes of play.The ‘Lively Lions’ went into the lucrative tournament as under-dogs, with Hangana Seafood Blue Waters and Marathon Chief Santos the favourites.But on Sunday it was Black Africa who walked away with a handsome N$85 000, while Ramblers pocketed N$45 000 from the inaugural tournament which took place infront of at least cheering 5 000 spectators.The final match coincided with Namibia’s 14th Independence anniversary, while Walvis Bay was also marking its 10th anniversary of its reintegration into Namibia from South Africa.In the penalty shoot-out, BA and Brave Warriors goalkeeper Arnold Subeb made two fabulous saves that kept his team ahead in goals and left Tjono Jagger with the easy task of converting the winner.Subeb stopped both Chris Nauseb and Costa Khaiseb’s goals, while Michael Pienaar hit the the post as the Ramblers outfit crumbled.The match, which was also watched by President Sam Nujoma, did not produce a lot of fireworks as expected, but great goalkeeping skills were displayed by both Subeb and Ramblers goalie, Esau Tjiuoro.The two goalkeepers were recently called up to the national team.A fierce battle for the country’s number one jersey is expected between the two Warriors.Ramblers coach David Snewe and BA’s Smithley Engelbrecht were also former Black Africa players, and it was the first time they squared-up with each leading a premier league team in a cup final.Engelbrecht was the happiest on the day as he believed that BA, who were once known as ‘Cup Kings’ are now back in business.Blue Waters lost to BA 3-2 on penalties after a goalless draw, while Ramblers beat Chief Santos by a solitary goal in matches played on Saturday.A decisive penalty kick that could have kept Blue Waters in the running after both teams were level on two goals, went wide to send the BA players and supporters into jubilation.Ramblers in an earlier match finished off Chief Santos after the exciting Benardine Mbilizi, slammed home the only goal in the 14th minute of the first half.Chief Santos ended the tournament as third place finishers after seeing-off Blue Waters, also with a solitary goal from Warren Neidel in the 9th minute of the first half.Santos walked away with N$ 25 000, while Blue Waters settled for N$15 000.The tournament will be an annual event.The teams were deadlocked 0-0 at the end of the 90 minutes of play.The ‘Lively Lions’ went into the lucrative tournament as under-dogs, with Hangana Seafood Blue Waters and Marathon Chief Santos the favourites.But on Sunday it was Black Africa who walked away with a handsome N$85 000, while Ramblers pocketed N$45 000 from the inaugural tournament which took place infront of at least cheering 5 000 spectators.The final match coincided with Namibia’s 14th Independence anniversary, while Walvis Bay was also marking its 10th anniversary of its reintegration into Namibia from South Africa.In the penalty shoot-out, BA and Brave Warriors goalkeeper Arnold Subeb made two fabulous saves that kept his team ahead in goals and left Tjono Jagger with the easy task of converting the winner.Subeb stopped both Chris Nauseb and Costa Khaiseb’s goals, while Michael Pienaar hit the the post as the Ramblers outfit crumbled.The match, which was also watched by President Sam Nujoma, did not produce a lot of fireworks as expected, but great goalkeeping skills were displayed by both Subeb and Ramblers goalie, Esau Tjiuoro.The two goalkeepers were recently called up to the national team.A fierce battle for the country’s number one jersey is expected between the two Warriors.Ramblers coach David Snewe and BA’s Smithley Engelbrecht were also former Black Africa players, and it was the first time they squared-up with each leading a premier league team in a cup final.Engelbrecht was the happiest on the day as he believed that BA, who were once known as ‘Cup Kings’ are now back in business.Blue Waters lost to BA 3-2 on penalties after a goalless draw, while Ramblers beat Chief Santos by a solitary goal in matches played on Saturday.A decisive penalty kick that could have kept Blue Waters in the running after both teams were level on two goals, went wide to send the BA players and supporters into jubilation.Ramblers in an earlier match finished off Chief Santos after the exciting Benardine Mbilizi, slammed home the only goal in the 14th minute of the first half.Chief Santos ended the tournament as third place finishers after seeing-off Blue Waters, also with a solitary goal from Warren Neidel in the 9th minute of the first half.Santos walked away with N$ 25 000, while Blue Waters settled for N$15 000.The tournament will be an annual event.