THE Hardap Region won the sixth edition of The Namibian Newspaper Cup in a screamer of a final at the Kuisebmond Stadium at Walvis Bay yesterday, ousting rivals Karas 4-3 on penalties after the match ended in a 2-2 stalemate in 120 minutes.
The cup had evaded Hardap twice before, as they ended up as runners-up in 2004 in Oshakati, while they narrowly lost to Otjozondjupa 1-0 in the 2005 final in Mariental. The match had all the ingredients of a cup final and this was illustrated by the players of the two teams as they played for possession and, most importantly, for a win and pride.What also contributed to the exciting final were the hundreds of supporters who packed the stadium despite the windy weather conditions that had an slight impact on the game.Brian Brendell opened the scoring for Hardap after his long-range shot found the roof of the net in the 21st minute.In fact, the strike was wind-assisted and found its way into the net.After that goal, the match went into a dip for at least five minutes with no real threats from the strikers.Karas appeared more desperate, as they ruthlessly fought for an equaliser with right winger Frans de Muinda making the difference with quick short passes to his team mates, but which were cut short by the ever-present Hans Witbooi in the Hardap defence.The 34th minute saw the breakthrough for Karas as Witbooi failed to clear a shot and it found its way into the net – an own goal.Goalkeeper Kephas Steven was in an awkward position to do something about the oncoming ball and also failed to keep it out.Unfortunately for Hardap, their coach Ali Akan was asked to leave the bench as he was accused of using abusive language, and before that, attacking midfielder Deon Goeieman was red-carded for a dangerous tackle.Referee Arvo Mufeti sent the two sides into halftime locked at 1-1, but a goal in the 50th minute by the stocky but tricky striker Donovan Swartz gave an indication that Hardap were on a serious mission as they capitalised on a defensive lapse.Brendell ran in from the left flank, passed two defenders and gave a sweet cross to Swartz who slotted in the ball to give his side a hard fought 2-1 lead.Swartz had a busy day upfront for Hardap and he had the crowd going wild with his terrific dribbling skills.Karas star player Ashley Jossop found the going tough upfront as he failed in several attempts to shoot at goal.Patrick Jagger for the Hardap side also had at least two unsuccessful attempts at goal.The match was destined to end in favour of Hardap because of their lead, but Karas had different intentions just two minutes before the final whistle.George Christiaans made it level through a header which he flicked into the goal after a cross came at the right time and place for Karas.The match was tied at 2-2 after 90 minutes, but the extra 15 minutes added for each half also saw some missed chances from both sides, which sent them into penalties.Swartz picked up the Man of the Match award and was also voted the player of the tournament at the end of the match.The match official of the tournament was John Chikwa, while Omaheke goalkeeper Leon Katjiteo picked up the goalie of the tournament award.The most disciplined award went to the hosts, Erongo Region, while the top goal scorer award was shared by three players who all scored three goals apiece.In the losers’ final, Oshana managed to go past Kunene with a 2-1 margin, while the previous night the President’s XI buried The Namibian Shadow team 6-1.Among the spectators at the match were the Erongo Regional Governor, Samuel Nuuyoma, the Mayor of Walvis Bay, King Mandume Muatunga, and the acting president of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), John Muinjo.The match had all the ingredients of a cup final and this was illustrated by the players of the two teams as they played for possession and, most importantly, for a win and pride.What also contributed to the exciting final were the hundreds of supporters who packed the stadium despite the windy weather conditions that had an slight impact on the game.Brian Brendell opened the scoring for Hardap after his long-range shot found the roof of the net in the 21st minute.In fact, the strike was wind-assisted and found its way into the net.After that goal, the match went into a dip for at least five minutes with no real threats from the strikers.Karas appeared more desperate, as they ruthlessly fought for an equaliser with right winger Frans de Muinda making the difference with quick short passes to his team mates, but which were cut short by the ever-present Hans Witbooi in the Hardap defence.The 34th minute saw the breakthrough for Karas as Witbooi failed to clear a shot and it found its way into the net – an own goal.Goalkeeper Kephas Steven was in an awkward position to do something about the oncoming ball and also failed to keep it out.Unfortunately for Hardap, their coach Ali Akan was asked to leave the bench as he was accused of using abusive language, and before that, attacking midfielder Deon Goeieman was red-carded for a dangerous tackle.Referee Arvo Mufeti sent the two sides into halftime locked at 1-1, but a goal in the 50th minute by the stocky but tricky striker Donovan Swartz gave an indication that Hardap were on a serious mission as they capitalised on a defensive lapse.Brendell ran in from the left flank, passed two defenders and gave a sweet cross to Swartz who slotted in the ball to give his side a hard fought 2-1 lead.Swartz had a busy day upfront for Hardap and he had the crowd going wild with his terrific dribbling skills.Karas star player Ashley Jossop found the going tough upfront as he failed in several attempts to shoot at goal.Patrick Jagger for the Hardap side also had at least two unsuccessful attempts at goal.The match was destined to end in favour of Hardap because of their lead, but Karas had different intentions just two minutes before the final whistle.George Christiaans made it level through a header which he flicked into the goal after a cross came at the right time and place for Karas.The match was tied at 2-2 after 90 minutes, but the extra 15 minutes added for each half also saw some missed chances from both sides, which sent them into penalties.Swartz picked up the Man of the Match award and was also voted the player of the tournament at the end of the match.The match official of the tournament was John Chikwa, while Omaheke goalkeeper Leon Katjiteo picked up the goalie of the tournament award.The most disciplined award went to the hosts, Erongo Region, while the top goal scorer award was shared by three players who all scored three goals apiece.In the losers’ final, Oshana managed to go past Kunene with a 2-1 margin, while the previous night the President’s XI buried The Namibian Shadow team 6-1.Among the spectators at the match were the Erongo Regional Governor, Samuel Nuuyoma, the Mayor of Walvis Bay, King Mandume Muatunga, and the acting president of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), John Muinjo.
