THE Namibia Premier League Cup semi-final matches will be held at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay on Saturday due to the non-availability of the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, according to the organisers.
With the Sam Nujoma Stadium booked for the boxing bonanza that will pit Harry Simon against Geard Ajetovic of Serbia in the main fight, the NPL decided to take the semifinals to Walvis Bay.
“We knew the Sam Nujoma Stadium had been booked for boxing so we already said at the start of the tournament that the venue for the semifinals and final would be confirmed later.
The semifinals will now take place at the Kuisebmond Stadium on Saturday but the final will take place at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on October 5,” the chief administrator of the NPL Tovey Hoebeb said.
The Kuisebmond Stadium itself has not been in use for the whole year because of renovations to the pavilion, and although they are not completed yet, Hoebeb said the semi-finals could be staged at the venue.
“About 80 percent of the renovations have been completed.
The field is fine and has not been affected; the renovations were done to the pavilion while two more cloakrooms have been added,” he said.
The NPL Cup competition has already provided some big upsets with the pre-tournament favourites Black Africa and African Stars, falling by the wayside and failing to make the semis as expected.
Black Africa and Civics both finished on four points in Group A, but Civics went through to the semifinals with a better goal aggregate, while Eleven Arrows pipped African Stars in Group D.
Arrows and Stars both finished on four points and had the same goal difference, but Arrows had a better disciplinary record in the competition.
Group C also saw a big surprise as Tura Magic pipped Tigers on goal difference after a great 5-0 victory against Rundu Chiefs on Saturday.
In Group A, Orlando Pirates was a clear winner after they won both their matches to finish on top with six points.
The semifinals will see Pirates taking on Tura Magic at 15h00, while Eleven Arrows will take on Civics at 17h00.
Arrows, as the home team, can expect a big crowd of supporters, while Hoebeb said that Pirates could also expect strong support.
“Pirates have a lot of fans at the coast and we expect a good turnout for the semifinals,” he said.
Hoebeb also confirmed that the travelling teams from Windhoek will each receive N$10 000 to assist them with their expenses.
