New Hardap generation aiming to emulate golden years

It’s been a long time since Hardap’s golden years at the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, but with a talented group of players this year they are hoping to emulate those past successes.

They reached three finals in a row between 2004 and 2006, and after finishing runners-up to Khomas and Otjozondjupa, finally clinched the title when they beat southern neighbours ||Kharas on penalties in 2006.

Since then, though, they have seldom reached the knockout stages, and last year once again exited at the first round after finishing third in their group.

They lost 1-0 to Zambezi and 2-0 to ||Kharas, but managed a consolation 2-0 win against Zambezi.

Hardap, however, have already started their training camp, and team manager Riaan Christiaans says they have a new generation of players that can go all the way.

“We are now well on the way and we’re preparing to bring the cup back to the Hardap region. We have a new generation and we’re confident in the boys. If we prepare well, let the football talk,” he said.

Hardap have already started their training camp at Rehoboth yesterday, but Christiaans says they had to overcome some logistical problems.

“We wanted to hold the camp at Mariental, but due to some logistical problems we had to move it to Rehoboth. In the past we’ve also camped at Rehoboth, so it’s not a problem,” he says.

“We will hold two sessions per day on the field, and another session during which the coach will decide if they do road work or team building,” he says.

Hardap will compete in group A against Omaheke, Otjozondjupa and Kavango East, and Christiaans says they can expect a tough challenge.

“They are very physical and most of them are very strong teams as we’ve seen in the past, but we are more focused on our team and what we can improve on.

“Sometimes you focus on the competition too much and forget what you must fix here at home,” he says.

“Our focus is currently on the team we have here,” he says.

GURUSEB AT THE HELM

Hardap will be coached by the experienced Christi Guruseb, who was approached at short notice to take over from Meraai Swartbooi.

“The committee offered me the job, so I said okay, why not?” he says.

“We only started training yesterday, but many of the players have been active for their clubs here in the Hardap second and third divisions, so they are fit and active.

“We will continue till 2 April when we depart for Keetmanshoop,” he says.

Guruseb says they do not have many players left from last year but added that it was not much of a problem.

“There are only a few youngsters left from last year, so we might not have much experience, but experience can be outdone by a fighting spirit,” he says.

Guruseb says he will be prepared for his opponents in group A.

“In a tournament of this magnitude, you have to beat the best if you want to win. For me it’s about the first touches on the ball and how the boys settle down that will set the tone for the first match and the other matches.

“So, whether we play those opponents in the group stages or later in the knockout stages, it makes no difference,” he says.

“I think we are in the ‘Group of Death’, and we are participating against very tough, physical teams. If you look at our opponents, Omaheke is more physically orientated, and the same with Otjozondjupa, and the Kavango East have big players, so we’re anticipating a physical battle,” he says.

Guruseb, however, has a wealth of experience in both the premier league as well as at the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, and Hardap will be hoping his knowledge and experience rub off.

“In the premier league I started with Ramblers and came second in the 2010/11 season after they were almost relegated before, and I was voted coach of the season during that season.

“After that I went to Civics and once again came second, and then Pirates captured me from Civics for the 2012/13 season when we came fourth,” he says.

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