Civics ready to defend Cup

A FIERCE battle is set to unfold when Civics start their title defence against domestic cup kings Black Africa in the Humphries Security Cup at the Kuisebmond Stadium on Saturday.

The Khomasdal-based side won the inaugural Humphries Security Guard Division (HSGD) floating trophy last year after beating Tigers in the final. The first round and quarter-finals of the 2005 edition will take place Saturday and Sunday in Tsumeb and Walvis Bay.Civics team manager Paul Stramis said yesterday that their opening match against Black Africa would be a tough one, as Black Africa are known for performing exceptionally well during tournaments.”We are ready and we will go full-out to make sure that the name written on the trophy will be that of Civics,” he said.He said Civics would rely on goal tender Heribert Kapeng, Mentos Hipondoka and Franklin April in defence but doubted the match-fitness of captain and defence stalwart Amos Shiyuka.Shiyuka has a recurring knee injury that kept him out of the game for most of last season.Stramis said the services of Zimbabwean-born players Peter Mpange, Wilbert Masembe and prolific striker William Shilufya would come in handy.On his part, Black Africa coach Bobby Samaria said his team would give their best shot as it is the first tournament before the kick-off of the 2005/2006 season.Samaria said there are no excuses as he has a full complement of good players.”We will do the talking on the pitch,” said Samaria.The match starts at 16h00, with the winner of the tournament pocketing a handsome N$50 000 and a trophy.The runners-up will take home N$25 000 while the third-placed team will get N$15 000.The team that ends in fourth spot goes home with N$ 10 000.Prize monies will also be issued to the top goal scorer, player of the series, coach of the series and referee of the series.The three winning teams and the best loser in each group will proceed to the quarter-finals.The semi-finals and final are scheduled to take place at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek from November 4 and 5.Meanwhile, Samaria, who is coach for the under-20 national team for the forthcoming Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) tournament in December, said he released the players to play for their respective clubs in the Humphries Trophy tournament.By doing so, he said, the players will gain match-fitness from the tournament in preparation for Cosafa competition in December.- Nampa Humphries Cup Fixtures: Oscar Norich Stadium, Tsumeb 14h00: Oshakati City vs Orlando Pirates 16h00: Tigers vs African Stars 18h00: Ramblers vs Chief Santos – 18h00 Kuisebmund Stadium, Walvis Bay 14h00: Touch and Go vs Blue Waters 16h00: Black Africa vs Civics 18h00: SKW vs Eleven ArrowsThe first round and quarter-finals of the 2005 edition will take place Saturday and Sunday in Tsumeb and Walvis Bay.Civics team manager Paul Stramis said yesterday that their opening match against Black Africa would be a tough one, as Black Africa are known for performing exceptionally well during tournaments.”We are ready and we will go full-out to make sure that the name written on the trophy will be that of Civics,” he said.He said Civics would rely on goal tender Heribert Kapeng, Mentos Hipondoka and Franklin April in defence but doubted the match-fitness of captain and defence stalwart Amos Shiyuka.Shiyuka has a recurring knee injury that kept him out of the game for most of last season.Stramis said the services of Zimbabwean-born players Peter Mpange, Wilbert Masembe and prolific striker William Shilufya would come in handy.On his part, Black Africa coach Bobby Samaria said his team would give their best shot as it is the first tournament before the kick-off of the 2005/2006 season.Samaria said there are no excuses as he has a full complement of good players.”We will do the talking on the pitch,” said Samaria.The match starts at 16h00, with the winner of the tournament pocketing a handsome N$50 000 and a trophy.The runners-up will take home N$25 000 while the third-placed team will get N$15 000.The team that ends in fourth spot goes home with N$ 10 000.Prize monies will also be issued to the top goal scorer, player of the series, coach of the series and referee of the series.The three winning teams and the best loser in each group will proceed to the quarter-finals.The semi-finals and final are scheduled to take place at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek from November 4 and 5.Meanwhile, Samaria, who is coach for the under-20 national team for the forthcoming Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) tournament in December, said he released the players to play for their respective clubs in the Humphries Trophy tournament.By doing so, he said, the players will gain match-fitness from the tournament in preparation for Cosafa competition in December.- Nampa Humphries Cup Fixtures: Oscar Norich Stadium, Tsumeb 14h00: Oshakati City vs Orlando Pirates 16h00: Tigers vs African Stars 18h00: Ramblers vs Chief Santos – 18h00 Kuisebmund Stadium, Walvis Bay 14h00: Touch and Go vs Blue Waters 16h00: Black Africa vs Civics 18h00: SKW vs Eleven Arrows