Mighty Gunners became the first big-name casualty losing to Kangweru Black Tops while Marius Kotze inspired Rebels to victory over Civics and into the 2015 Bidvest Namibia Cup Last-16 Round on Sunday afternoon at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
With nine winners already confirmed into the 2015 Bidvest Namibia Cup last-16 Round by Saturday 31 January, seven more teams had to come out of the Last-32 Round with three matches at the Sam Nujoma Stadium and four at the Oscar Norich Stadium in Tsumeb on Sunday.
At the copper town of Tsumeb, Touch & Go were the first to earn their place in the next round courtesy of an emphatic 3-1 win over Ohangwena Nampol, while Blue Waters also booked their place with a comprehensive 11-1 win over Vietnam Rangers.
Mighty Gunners then took on Kavango East qualifiers Kangweru Black Tops and following a 2-2 draw it was the second division side Tops that got the better of the Premiership side Gunners 4-2 on penalties and a priceless place in the Last-16 Round.
The final match at the Oscar Norich Stadium saw the Rundu derby come to Tsumeb as Premiership sides Julinho and United Stars met at 15h00. And after 90 minutes of thrilling action and two goals apiece, it was Julinho that took it 2-1 on post-match penalties.
At the Sam Nujoma stadium, Eleven Arrows demolished Outjo-based side Pubs FC 5-0 thanks to a brace from Chaslin Goagoseb, while Michael Akweenye, Eneas Usizi and Esko Kavela chipped in with a strike each.
In the second match, Kleopas Nuukushu, Lorenzo Louis and Clarence Foroma led Unam to a 3-0 win over First Division side Blue Boys to reserve a place in the next round.
Then it was a match billed the “Khomasdal derby” as Rebels and Civics met in a promising encounter at 17h00. After a goalless first half, Civics got their noses in front with a headed goal by Erwin Afrikaner and it was not until the first of the five minutes added on that Rebels’ inspirational midfielder Marius Kotze won two consecutive free kicks in the Civics half and he confidently hit the second one with genuine authority into the top right corner to set up a thrilling finale.
In the end it was the penalty shoot-out that had to decide the tie and after Rebels’ goalkeeper David Petersen scored his spot kick, Steven Gariseb’s kick was saved; Oscar Katjito increased Rebels’ advantage; Gabriel Kapopo got one back for Civics; Barnes Kangumine converted for Rebels; Wangu Gome scored for Civics; Ivan Kamberipa kicked over for Rebels and Musaa Kariri was thwarted by Petersen; and it was then up to Kotze to complete the script and he again came through scoring past Edward Maova to send his side through to the next round.
In 16 matches this weekend, the 2015 Bidvest Namibia Cup saw 97 goals scored with Tigers hit man Panduleni Nekundi top scoring with 14 goals for Tigers in their 25-0 victory over Kavango West side Western Stars on Saturday. Black Africa too scored an empathic 17-0 win over Zambezi side Shooting Stars while Citizens won 3-1 against fellow Premiership side Benfica. – nfa.org.na
