Here follows a short history of the Namibian Newspaper Cup since its inception in 2001.
2001 – WINDHOEK
OMAHEKE 3 OTJOZONDJUPA 1
Omaheke won the inaugural Namibia Newspaper Cup after beating Otjozondjupa 3-1 in front of an ecstatic crowd at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium.
Omaheke captain Arnold Hoaseb put them ahead after only nine minutes but Otjozondjupa missed a great chance to equalise when Erastus Gariseb’s shot hit the crossbar.
Omaheke’s Brave Warriors duo of Mogle Naruseb and Maleagi Ngarizemo came on as second half substitutes and Naruseb immediately made an impact, scoring two goals in three minutes, with the second coming from the penalty spot.
In the final stages, Otjozondjupa won a penalty and Paul Nugurib scored from the spot but it was too little too late as Omaheke clinched the title.
2002 – OTJIWARONGO
OMAHEKE 3 OSHIKOTO 2
Omaheke retained the Namibia Newspaper Cup after beating Oshikoto 3-2 in the final at the Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo.
For Omaheke, Choice Tjerivanga scored a brace and Gregor Maritshane one goal, while Hafeni Shikomba and Viv Heibeb scored for Oshikoto.
Tjerivanga won the Player of the Match award, while Omaheke’s Ollie Khiba was named Player of the Series and Simon Pieters of Oshana was the top goalscorer.
2003 – GOBABIS
KHOMAS 4 OSHANA 1
Khomas beat Oshana 4-1 after leading 3-1 at halftime to win the Namibia News- paper Cup for the first time at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis.
Edward Asino gave Khomas the lead while Albertus Cloete made it 2-0 a few minutes later.
Tangeni Nghishidhimbwa pulled a goal back for Oshana, but a second goal by Cloete put them 3-1 ahead at the break.
Fabianus Shilongo completed an emphatic victory with a terrific freekick. In the semifinals, Khomas beat Omaheke 8-7 on penalties after a fulltime score of 1-1, while Oshana beat Kavango 1-0.
2004 – OSHAKATI
KHOMAS 4 HARDAP 1
Khomas retained their title with a comfortable 4-1 victory against Hardap at the Oshakati Independence Stadium.
Abram Eichab gave Hardap an early lead, but Wycliffe Eiseb immediately equalised for Khomas.
Lazarus Kaimbi put Khomas ahead shortly before halftime, while a brace by Clarence Kawaita in the final ten minutes sealed their victory.
In the semifinals, Khomas beat Kavango 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 full time score, while Hardap beat Oshana 3-1.
2005 – MARIENTAL
OTJOZONDJUPA 1 HARDAP 0
Romanus Severus scored the winning goal for Otjozondjupa early in the second half.
Playing in front of their home crowd, Hardap did most of the attacking in the first half through Ettienne Beukes and Patrick Jagger but Otjozondjupa defenders Da Costa Angula and Steven Goaxab kept them at bay.
Severus gave Otjozondjuopa the lead when he intercepted a poor clearance and hit the back of the net with a powerful shot.
