Oshikoto aiming for the final

The Oshikoto region has never won the Nedbank Namibia Newspaper Cup, but coach Nelson Geingob says he believes they can go all the way to the final this year.

The closest they got to the title was in 2002 when they reached the final, but were beaten 3-2 by Omaheke to finish as the runners-up. Geingob was part of that team and the following year, he made his national debut for the Brave Warriors, becoming a defensive stalwart for the national side until 2010.

He still recalls that team fondly, saying it was a strong squad.

“I was part of that team that played in the final against Omaheke. We had a very good squad – Alfie Ndyenge, who later also played for the Brave Warriors, was also in it. We were very competitive then and the region also produced national players like Gerros Urikhob,” he says.

He adds that in recent years, that has not been the case.

“So I think it’s good for us to plough back into the region and to make sure that we also give back to the clubs and install in them what is expected to make the national team,” he says.

Geingob says he has an added incentive to do well this year, because reaching the final will extend his tenure as coach of the Oshikoto region.

“This is my third and final year as coach of the Oshikoto region, but I was informed that if we reach the final they will extend my contract by another two years, so that’s definitely a big motivating factor,” he says.

“We did very well two years ago at Gobabis when we reached the semi-finals, but last year we were quite unlucky because about a week before the tournament I was informed that a few of my top players, who were playing for
the Collin Benjamin Soccer Academy, had to go on tour to South Africa.

“I built my team around those players, and then I had to change my team at the last minute, but if you look at the results, it’s not as if we were outplayed – we created chances but individual mistakes made us bow out before the knockout stages,” he says.

Oshikoto finished bottom of their group with only one point, after losing 1-0 to ||Kharas and 2-0 to Hardap, while drawing 3-3 against Zambezi.

Geingob, however, says they are well prepared for this year’s tournament.

“We already started our preparations last year – we started identifying and scouting players in the correct age groups who were playing in the leagues. This year we already had two trials at Tsumeb and the north. We played in a tournament at Outjo last weekend and have now gone into camp where we will prepare intensively before we leave for Keetmans,” he says.

“I still have eight players from last year, but I’ve also selected some younger players to build for next year as well,” he adds.

According to Geingob a lot of his players are scattered all over Namibia, playing for various clubs in regions such as Khomas, Erongo and Otjozondjupa.

“Some of my players are based in Windhoek and some are at Swakop, while others are at Otjiwarongo and Grootfontein. They were born in Oshikoto, but have since moved to other regions for their tertiary education – however, they are still very passionate about representing the Oshikoto region,” he says.

This year Oshikoto have been drawn in a tough group alongside Ohangwena, ||Kharas and last year’s runners-up, Kavango West, but Geingob says he is confident about their chances.

“I’m confident and I think the pressure will be more on the hosts, ||Kharas. I’m aware that Kavango West has been in the final two times in the past three years so they will have a competitive side, but I’m not worried about the other teams so much, I think the pressure is more on them,” he says.

“So definitely, we will make it out of our group and we are going all the way to the final,” he adds.

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