Based on Saturday’s MTC Maris Cup semi-final results, Young African (YA) appear to be the frontrunners to claim the new competition’s million dollar prize.
An emphatic 3-1 demolition of Unam at the Mariental Sports Field set up a mouthwatering final clash against African Stars who edged Bucks Buccaneers 2-1.
While Stars’ pedigree in Namibian football means they cannot be written off, YA, the only club yet to taste defeat this season, appear on course for their first silverware as a topflight club.
They will contest the decider on 29 March at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek.
YA started on the front foot and were ahead after 14 minutes into the clash through Marshall Murere’s shot from outside the box after Unam failed to clear their lines from a corner.
They doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half through new South African import Aichel Calane, with Danzel Narib making it 3-0 just four minutes later. Robert Rugam pulled one back for Unam, but the Clever Boys couldn’t mount a comeback as Young African cruised to an impressive victory.
Young African head coach Maleagi Ngarizemo attributes his team’s victory to a well-executed game plan and meticulously studying their rivals.
“We knew Unam like to keep the ball, that’s their style of play. So, I told the boys to stay compact, and when we have the ball, to counter quickly so we can get goals,” Ngarizemo says.
“I think it worked very well. We scored three quality goals, and we’re happy.”
His Unam counterpart, Robert Nauseb, laments his side’s lax attitude towards the encounter.
“This is not the way we should have approached this game. It’s a tournament, if you don’t take your chances and you give the other team opportunities, they’ll score. The goals we conceded were uncalled for,” says a disappointed Nauseb.
African Stars laboured to their win over a determined Buccaneers side in the second semi-final, which began with veteran Stars defender Charles Hambira heading into his own net while attempting to clear a goal attempt.
However, Stars equalised in the 30th minute through Edmund Kambanda, who scored from a corner.
Eight minutes later, Comorian winger Ibrahim Yousuff doubled Okaserandu’s lead, tapping in from an Awilo Stephanus cross.
“We had to dig deep after conceding to create those two chances. At half-time, I told the boys if they don’t score, they must at least make sure not to concede,” says Stars coach Benni Hoaseb.
Combative Stars midfielder Ngero Katua says they were relieved to claim victory against a tough rival.
“It was a tough match but we are happy that we managed to win and progress to the final,” Katua says.
“Our opponents for the final are very good. You can see from their 3-1 win over Unam. But we will see what will happen in the final.”
Bucks Buccaneers coach Woody Jacobs commends his team’s effort, saying that luck deserted them at a crucial stage.
“We were not outplayed, it was our mistakes that led to our demise. African Stars made fewer mistakes,” Jacibs said during the post-match analysis.
“They conceded first but came back strongly to score two goals. But credit to my players, the way they fought, I cannot praise them enough. They played bravely and gallantly.”
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