Chaotic ceremony slammed

ORGANISERS and sponsors of the MTC NFA Cup slammed the recent chaotic behaviour from hordes of football fans who stormed onto the field after the Orlando Pirates and African Stars match at the Independence Stadium on Saturday.

The presence of the people on the pitch disrupted the smooth running of the awards ceremony. African Stars were crowned as the new champions of the competition, dethroning Orlando Pirates through a 5-3 win in a penalty shootout.Hundreds of supporters from both teams made their way onto the field seconds after Stars player Pat-Nevin Uanivi scored the winner for his team.Stars won the tournament for the first time in the 56-year existence of the club.Namibia Football Consortium (NFC) member Amos Shiyuka said the behaviour of the supporters was unacceptable.He said despite maximum security enforced by Humphries Security Guard Division, the City Police and the Namibian Police, there was little that could have been done to stop the rampant supporters.Football officials, players and the media were exposed to danger from the spectators as they grabbed players, jumped, danced and shouted to the tune of the music in the background, while photographers had little room to capture the moment.Some Stars fans virtually shut out the players from the cameras when Stars captain Andrew Tjahikika was given the trophy.Everyone wanted to hold and kiss the trophy and at one stage players were looking for it as it was changing hands among the fans far into the field, away from the presentation podium.NFA president John Muinjo, who led a delegation of officials from the VIP stands, all had to be rushed back to the stands because of the crush of people in the presentation area.Pirates official Mabos Ortmann said clubs need to educate their supporters how to behave during and after matches.”We know that people get excited when teams win, but it is important for things to be done in an orderly way,” he said.Stars coach Gilbert Rwasoka also did not have an opportunity to congratulate his players as admirers grabbed the opportunity to meet their heroes face to face.A top Namibia Football Association (NFA) official suggested that a fence be erected around the tartan track.He said the safety of players and match officials was at risk.”A player or a referee can be attacked on the spot because there is no control.They are the ones who are at a high risk.Next time there should also be a higher degree of security because we cannot allow top Government, business and football officials to be exposed to the fans like that.Some are heavily intoxicated and you never know what they are up to,” he said.Sports reporters Kayele Kambombo, Helge Schutz and Confidence Musariri, who were taking pictures after the match, concurred that organisers should in future ensure a more orderly awards ceremony, as photographers are at risk of being robbed of their equipment.African Stars were crowned as the new champions of the competition, dethroning Orlando Pirates through a 5-3 win in a penalty shootout.Hundreds of supporters from both teams made their way onto the field seconds after Stars player Pat-Nevin Uanivi scored the winner for his team.Stars won the tournament for the first time in the 56-year existence of the club.Namibia Football Consortium (NFC) member Amos Shiyuka said the behaviour of the supporters was unacceptable.He said despite maximum security enforced by Humphries Security Guard Division, the City Police and the Namibian Police, there was little that could have been done to stop the rampant supporters.Football officials, players and the media were exposed to danger from the spectators as they grabbed players, jumped, danced and shouted to the tune of the music in the background, while photographers had little room to capture the moment.Some Stars fans virtually shut out the players from the cameras when Stars captain Andrew Tjahikika was given the trophy.Everyone wanted to hold and kiss the trophy and at one stage players were looking for it as it was changing hands among the fans far into the field, away from the presentation podium.NFA president John Muinjo, who led a delegation of officials from the VIP stands, all had to be rushed back to the stands because of the crush of people in the presentation area.Pirates official Mabos Ortmann said clubs need to educate their supporters how to behave during and after matches.”We know that people get excited when teams win, but it is important for things to be done in an orderly way,” he said.Stars coach Gilbert Rwasoka also did not have an opportunity to congratulate his players as admirers grabbed the opportunity to meet their heroes face to face.A top Namibia Football Association (NFA) official suggested that a fence be erected around the tartan track.He said the safety of players and match officials was at risk.”A player or a referee can be attacked on the spot because there is no control.They are the ones who are at a high risk.Next time there should also be a higher degree of security because we cannot allow top Government, business and football officials to be exposed to the fans like that.Some are heavily intoxicated and you never know what they are up to,” he said.Sports reporters Kayele Kambombo, Helge Schutz and Confidence Musariri, who were taking pictures after the match, concurred that organisers should in future ensure a more orderly awards ceremony, as photographers are at risk of being robbed of their equipment.