Gunners on verge of making MTC Cup history

APRIL 28 will be a memorable day for Mighty Gunners coach Dawid Snewe and his players, as they will be standing on the verge of becoming the first first-division football team to reach the MTC Cup final.

That can only happen if they beat African Stars in a semi-final clash billed for the Kuisebmond Stadium on Saturday, while Ramblers and Orlando Pirates both have a chance to make it through in the second semi-final of the competition. Snewe’s side, which at the same time is fighting for promotion to the premiership next season, has nothing to lose against Stars on Saturday, but if luck is on their side, they will make history by competing in the final of the most sought-after competition in the country.Snewe’s side made it into the semi-final after their perfect plan succeeded in dismissing favourites Black Africa in the quarter-finals played at the Independence Stadium in Oshakati.It was sweet victory for Snewe against his former beloved team, which he represented with pride during his playing days in the 1980s.Snewe was one of the most feared strikers in Namibian football during the ’80s and his knowledge of the game has rubbed off well on his players.He is also a former national team player and his calm approach to the game has paid dividends, as his players have shown a high level of tactical play and they have especially proved to be dangerous in counter-attacking situations.The Otjiwarongo-based side will once again go in as underdogs against Stars at the neutral venue at the coast, but that status demands them to upstage their rivals if they want to meet either Pirates or Ramblers in the final in Windhoek in May.Stars have a formidable side on paper, but their mettle will be tested by Gunners who firstly want to make history, while they ultimately also aim to pocket the N$350 000 that is awaiting the winner in the final.Stars also want a taste of glory after a drought of landing no major cup competitions in recent years.Stars have never won a cup final in the past ten years and this will be the time to prove to their thousands of supporters that they can still be regarded as one of the forces in domestic football.For Stars, it will also be a question of pride, as they will try to avoid being swept aside by a lower division side.Ramblers, who walloped Eleven Arrows 4-0 to make an entry into the semis, have a number of quality players who can swing matters in their favour.Ramblers, who now look to be out of contention for the premiership title as they are now 10 points adrift of leaders Civics, would want to end on a high note by clinching the MTC Cup.Ramblers won the competition in 2005 and it will be a question of ousting the current champions, Pirates, in a semi-final tie that can go either way.Pirates on their part will go all out to defend the title, but that will depend on the strategies of coach Ali Akan, as his side will be facing a tricky Ramblers team, which at times is hot to handle.Pirates have a reliable defence and a solid midfield, but their hitmen upfront have been questionable.Akan knows that his strikers have to be on their best on match day, as they will not find it easy to evade the Ramblers defence.The losers in the semi-finals are guaranteed of N$70 000 each, while the runners-up of the competition in the final walk away with N$160 000.Snewe’s side, which at the same time is fighting for promotion to the premiership next season, has nothing to lose against Stars on Saturday, but if luck is on their side, they will make history by competing in the final of the most sought-after competition in the country.Snewe’s side made it into the semi-final after their perfect plan succeeded in dismissing favourites Black Africa in the quarter-finals played at the Independence Stadium in Oshakati.It was sweet victory for Snewe against his former beloved team, which he represented with pride during his playing days in the 1980s.Snewe was one of the most feared strikers in Namibian football during the ’80s and his knowledge of the game has rubbed off well on his players.He is also a former national team player and his calm approach to the game has paid dividends, as his players have shown a high level of tactical play and they have especially proved to be dangerous in counter-attacking situations.The Otjiwarongo-based side will once again go in as underdogs against Stars at the neutral venue at the coast, but that status demands them to upstage their rivals if they want to meet either Pirates or Ramblers in the final in Windhoek in May.Stars have a formidable side on paper, but their mettle will be tested by Gunners who firstly want to make history, while they ultimately also aim to pocket the N$350 000 that is awaiting the winner in the final.Stars also want a taste of glory after a drought of landing no major cup competitions in recent years.Stars have never won a cup final in the past ten years and this will be the time to prove to their thousands of supporters that they can still be regarded as one of the forces in domestic football.For Stars, it will also be a question of pride, as they will try to avoid being swept aside by a lower division side.Ramblers, who walloped Eleven Arrows 4-0 to make an entry into the semis, have a number of quality players who can swing matters in their favour.Ramblers, who now look to be out of contention for the premiership title as they are now 10 points adrift of leaders Civics, would want to end on a high note by clinching the MTC Cup.Ramblers won the competition in 2005 and it will be a question of ousting the current champions, Pirates, in a semi-final tie that can go either way.Pirates on their part will go all out to defend the title, but that will depend on the strategies of coach Ali Akan, as his side will be facing a tricky Ramblers team, which at times is hot to handle.Pirates have a reliable defence and a solid midfield, but their hitmen upfront have been questionable.Akan knows that his strikers have to be on their best on match day, as they will not find it easy to evade the Ramblers defence.The losers in the semi-finals are guaranteed of N$70 000 each, while the runners-up of the competition in the final walk away with N$160 000.