Blue Waters, Stars bundled out of NFA Cup

PREMIER League giants Hangana Seafood Blue Waters and African Stars were the first casualties to bow out of the second round of the Tafel Lager NFA Cup played at Mariental on Saturday.

Blue Waters surprisingly lost 1-0 to Premier League strugglers Play Safe Life Fighters after the Otjiwarongo side made a terrific comeback in the second half, while African Stars could not stand the might of Marathon Sugar Chief Santos as they went down 4-2. Starlite Friends learnt a lesson from the students of the University of Namibia when their team, Pupkewitz UNAM won 3-1 in the opening match of the second round.After withstanding stiff resistance in the first half, Legal Shield Orlando Pirates finally overcame Walvis Bay-based Buffaloes 5-1.Santos and Stars fielded their best line-ups for the day which also saw a huge turn-out of spectators at the Mariental Stadium.Chief Santos opened the score through a typical Gerros Uri-khob grass-cutter which he blasted past Stars’ goalie in the 19th minute, courtesy of a beautiful pass from Warren Neidel.The teams were evenly matched in the first 15 minutes, but when the deadlock was broken by Uri-khob, Chief Santos took over the initiative.Chief Santos increased their lead when their latest signing – former Blue Waters striker Berlin Auchumeb – coolly slotted the goal home after running deep from midfield.Auchumeb expertly shielded the ball from Stars’ defender Andrew Tjahikika, before dummying their goalie, Frans Urorua to increase Chief Santos’ lead in the 29th minute.Santos launched more attacks on Stars, but the “Samba Boys” survived after good clearances by their hardman Bobby Kaapama and some good goalkeeping by Urorua.In midfield, Charles Hindjou who was replaced just before half time, and Kanu Kandorozu tried hard to put passes together for their forwards, but Santos kept them under control.Stars’ striker Albertus Cloete had a busy first half, as he continuously searched for an opening, while Nico Andima also tried in vain to crack Santos’ defence.Andima had a free-kick in the 25th minute, which deflected off the wall and safely landed in Marcellus Witbeen’s arms.Just a minute after Andima’s free-kick, Neidel an opportunity to stretch the score, after an attack from within his own half, only to shoot the ball wide of goal, with no defender in sight.Stars’ playmaker Hindjou was replaced by Andreas Jason, after his nagging ankle injury took its toll.Just before the break Andima dribbled his way past two Santos defenders before he took a wonderful shot that evaded Witbeen to make the score 2-1.It was a well-deserved goal for the hardworking Andima, who kept Santos’ defence of Nelson Geingob, Rodney Doeseb and Steven Tjeenao busy.The first twenty minutes after halftime did not provide much fireworks, but this changed when Stars were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute.Tjahikika scored from the spot to bring Stars back into the game.They had some great chances to take the lead but Jason and Benson Uaaka could not turn them into goals.The two youngsters had at least five chances between them, but they disappointed with their finishing efforts.On the other hand, Neidel, Uri-khob and Brian Gurirab kept on working hard for Santos, who finally took the lead in the 80th minute through a goal by Gurirab.In the dying minutes of the match Berlin Auchumeb made it 4-2 with a stylish backheel tap.In an earlier match, Neville Nanub struck twice for Pirates in their 5-1 demolition of Bufalloes, while Gregory Haraeb, Patrick Jagger and Richard Gariseb were also on target.Pirates could have won by an even bigger margin, but their wayward kicking let them down.In a shock result, Life Fighters fought tooth and nail to beat the favourites Blue Waters.Jason Namholo struck the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute.Other results from matches played yesterday were :Tigers 18-0 Hippo Liverpool 3-2 Benfica Black Africa 2-0 United StarsStarlite Friends learnt a lesson from the students of the University of Namibia when their team, Pupkewitz UNAM won 3-1 in the opening match of the second round. After withstanding stiff resistance in the first half, Legal Shield Orlando Pirates finally overcame Walvis Bay-based Buffaloes 5-1. Santos and Stars fielded their best line-ups for the day which also saw a huge turn-out of spectators at the Mariental Stadium. Chief Santos opened the score through a typical Gerros Uri-khob grass-cutter which he blasted past Stars’ goalie in the 19th minute, courtesy of a beautiful pass from Warren Neidel. The teams were evenly matched in the first 15 minutes, but when the deadlock was broken by Uri-khob, Chief Santos took over the initiative. Chief Santos increased their lead when their latest signing – former Blue Waters striker Berlin Auchumeb – coolly slotted the goal home after running deep from midfield. Auchumeb expertly shielded the ball from Stars’ defender Andrew Tjahikika, before dummying their goalie, Frans Urorua to increase Chief Santos’ lead in the 29th minute. Santos launched more attacks on Stars, but the “Samba Boys” survived after good clearances by their hardman Bobby Kaapama and some good goalkeeping by Urorua. In midfield, Charles Hindjou who was replaced just before half time, and Kanu Kandorozu tried hard to put passes together for their forwards, but Santos kept them under control. Stars’ striker Albertus Cloete had a busy first half, as he continuously searched for an opening, while Nico Andima also tried in vain to crack Santos’ defence. Andima had a free-kick in the 25th minute, which deflected off the wall and safely landed in Marcellus Witbeen’s arms. Just a minute after Andima’s free-kick, Neidel an opportunity to stretch the score, after an attack from within his own half, only to shoot the ball wide of goal, with no defender in sight. Stars’ playmaker Hindjou was replaced by Andreas Jason, after his nagging ankle injury took its toll. Just before the break Andima dribbled his way past two Santos defenders before he took a wonderful shot that evaded Witbeen to make the score 2-1. It was a well-deserved goal for the hardworking Andima, who kept Santos’ defence of Nelson Geingob, Rodney Doeseb and Steven Tjeenao busy. The first twenty minutes after halftime did not provide much fireworks, but this changed when Stars were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute. Tjahikika scored from the spot to bring Stars back into the game. They had some great chances to take the lead but Jason and Benson Uaaka could not turn them into goals. The two youngsters had at least five chances between them, but they disappointed with their finishing efforts. On the other hand, Neidel, Uri-khob and Brian Gurirab kept on working hard for Santos, who finally took the lead in the 80th minute through a goal by Gurirab. In the dying minutes of the match Berlin Auchumeb made it 4-2 with a stylish backheel tap. In an earlier match, Neville Nanub struck twice for Pirates in their 5-1 demolition of Bufalloes, while Gregory Haraeb, Patrick Jagger and Richard Gariseb were also on target. Pirates could have won by an even bigger margin, but their wayward kicking let them down. In a shock result, Life Fighters fought tooth and nail to beat the favourites Blue Waters. Jason Namholo struck the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute. Other results from matches played yesterday were : Tigers 18-0 Hippo Liverpool 3-2 Benfica Black Africa 2-0 United Stars