Newspaper Cup two days away from kick-off at coast

THE Namibian Newspaper Cup will see a new breed of under-20 players coming to the fore at the coast this weekend, while they will be expected to deliver the goods for their respective regions when the competition kicks into motion this Friday.

Football is billed to take the coastal town of Walvis Bay by storm when the sixth edition of one of Namibia’s most popular regional football competitions takes centre stage at the Kuisebmond Stadium for a period of four days. Over 300 players and thousands of spectators from all corners of the country are expected to join hundreds of inhabitants of the football-crazy town for a celebration of the game.Defending champions Otjozondjupa have been handed a bypass in the first round and will meet the winner between Oshana and Hardap in the first quarter-finals on Saturday.Otjozondjupa claimed the trophy for the first time after they beat Hardap 1-0 at Mariental last year and are likely to meet the same opponents in their first match of the competition this time around.The only two regions to have won the competition twice are Omaheke (2001 and 2002) and Khomas (2003 and 2004), with a new winner expected this year.The usual strong contenders for the title are Khomas, Omaheke, Erongo and Kavango, but all three will have many different faces this time as the event caters strictly for players under the age of 20.Most of the players who played in last year’s competition will be used as the core of the teams by most regions, while the new players will be given a chance of being spotted to further their game in the junior national teams or on club level.Since its inception in 2001, the competition has produced more than 50 players who have been drafted into the various national teams, while some have joined premiership teams and others are doing duty in the lower divisions.This year, the winners will pocket N$14 500 for their efforts, while the second best team goes home with N$7 250.There is also something in for the two semi-final losers, as they stand to receive N$3 125 each for failing to reach the final.Each year, there are surprises in the competition.The Hardap Region, which played host last year, stunned all as they made their way to the final and narrowly lost against Otjozondjupa despite their excellent performance in that match.In the previous year, Khomas lifted the trophy for the second time in Oshakati after their side was written off because most of their key players were missing from the side.In 2003, Omaheke were eliminated in their own backyard after they were tipped as hot favourites, as they were the defending champions at the time after winning in Otjiwarongo in 2002.Also in 2003, organisers were disappointed to see the unsporting attitude by the Gobabis spectators, as most did not turn up for the final match between Khomas and Oshana, which Khomas won 4-1.In 2004, the Oshakati Stadium was filled to the brim during most of the matches in the main pavilion.Unfortunately in 2002 in Otjiwarongo, a fight broke out among some spectators, but was brought under control by the Police, an incident which the organisers said would not be repeated at future events.This year, security is said to be tight and the players and officials are assured of their safety, while the spectators have been requested to show their full support for their regions.This year, the spectators will once again see the best of Namibia’s players in the form of a President’s XI playing against the Shadow Team.The President’s XI arrived at Walvis Bay yesterday and will be in camp until they play the Shadow Team on Sunday.The Shadow Team is a selected side from all the regions and is regarded as the official team of The Namibian Newspaper Cup.The draw is as follows: Friday, April 1409h00: Hardap vs Oshana 11h00: Kavango vs Oshikoto 13h00: Omusati vs Khomas 15h00: Ohangwena vs Karas 17h00: Kunene vs Omaheke 19h00: Erongo vs CapriviOver 300 players and thousands of spectators from all corners of the country are expected to join hundreds of inhabitants of the football-crazy town for a celebration of the game.Defending champions Otjozondjupa have been handed a bypass in the first round and will meet the winner between Oshana and Hardap in the first quarter-finals on Saturday.Otjozondjupa claimed the trophy for the first time after they beat Hardap 1-0 at Mariental last year and are likely to meet the same opponents in their first match of the competition this time around.The only two regions to have won the competition twice are Omaheke (2001 and 2002) and Khomas (2003 and 2004), with a new winner expected this year.The usual strong contenders for the title are Khomas, Omaheke, Erongo and Kavango, but all three will have many different faces this time as the event caters strictly for players under the age of 20.Most of the players who played in last year’s competition will be used as the core of the teams by most regions, while the new players will be given a chance of being spotted to further their game in the junior national teams or on club level.Since its inception in 2001, the competition has produced more than 50 players who have been drafted into the various national teams, while some have joined premiership teams and others are doing duty in the lower divisions.This year, the winners will pocket N$14 500 for their efforts, while the second best team goes home with N$7 250.There is also something in for the two semi-final losers, as they stand to receive N$3 125 each for failing to reach the final.Each year, there are surprises in the competition.The Hardap Region, which played host last year, stunned all as they made their way to the final and narrowly lost against Otjozondjupa despite their excellent performance in that match.In the previous year, Khomas lifted the trophy for the second time in Oshakati after their side was written off because most of their key players were missing from the side.In 2003, Omaheke were eliminated in their own backyard after they were tipped as hot favourites, as they were the defending champions at the time after winning in Otjiwarongo in 2002.Also in 2003, organisers were disappointed to see the unsporting attitude by the Gobabis spectators, as most did not turn up for the final match between Khomas and Oshana, which Khomas won 4-1.In 2004, the Oshakati Stadium was filled to the brim during most of the matches in the main pavilion.Unfortunately in 2002 in Otjiwarongo, a fight broke out among some spectators, but was brought under control by the Police, an incident which the organisers said would not be repeated at future events.This year, security is said to be tight and the players and officials are assured of their safety, while the spectators have been requested to show their full support for their regions.This year, the spectators will once again see the best of Namibia’s players in the form of a President’s XI playing against the Shadow Team.The President’s XI arrived at Walvis Bay yesterday and will be in camp until they play the Shadow Team on Sunday.The Shadow Team is a selected side from all the regions and is regarded as the official team of The Namibian Newspaper Cup.The draw is as follows: Friday, April 14 09h00: Hardap vs Oshana 11h00: Kavango vs Oshikoto 13h00: Omusati vs Khomas 15h00: Ohangwena vs Karas 17h00: Kunene vs Omaheke 19h00: Erongo vs Caprivi