RAMBLERS recorded a historic victory over Black Africa in an electric final to become the new champions of the Tafel Lager NFA Cup at the Independence Stadium on Saturday.
Ramblers won 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in extra time. The full-time score during the normal playing time was 1-1.In an earlier match, Blue Waters beat Golden Bees 3-1 to end third overall in the N$300 000 competition.The Pionierspark side upset Black Africa, who were on course for their sixth consecutive cup title, by pocketing their first major cup in over 15 years.Ramblers took the lead through a well-taken penalty by Quinton ‘Magic’ Jacobs in the 20th minute, after a foul on Victor Helu in the box by Moses Katjiteo.The goal sent the handful of vocal Ramblers supporters into a frenzy, silencing the BA fans who filled most of the stadium.An equaliser by the energetic Eric Aoseb for BA put smiles on the faces of their fans in the 34th minute, restoring the credibility of a team which has an incredible reputation of winning cup titles.The teams were tied 1-1 at the break.Earlier in the match, Henrico Botes only had goalkeeper Ephraim Tjihonge to beat to open the scoring for his team, but his shot went straight into Tjihonge’s legs.Two minutes later, Victor Helu hit the post for Ramblers after a goalmouth scramble, but Tjono Jagger, who made several runs on the right wing for BA, was nowhere on target as his shot flew way beyond the goal a minute later.Efforts by BA strikers Samson John and Wilfred Coetzee were well read by the lanky Michael Pienaar and George Tsamaseb, who did a sterling job for their side in defence.John on two occasions failed to hit the target as he loosely struck his shots over the goal.Coetzee also had a chance in the 38th minute, but his footing led him down, resulting in a missed kick that went astray.Ramblers goalkeeper Esau Tjiuoro coolly collected most of the shots launched towards his goal.On the other hand, Tjihonge had to fend off attempts by strikers Botes and Lazarus Kaimbi, who both struck at goal whenever they got the opportunity.In defence for BA, Hartman Toromba, Sedekia Haukambe and Moses Katjiteo were rock solid, as they cleared most balls that were directed to their goal lines.The second half produced more drama, with both teams going the extra mile in trying to push for goals.Although no goals were scored in the second half, positional battles among the players were the order of the day.Top BA midfielder Lolo ‘Baby’ Goraseb was completely shut out and prevented from doing any damage for his team, while Jacobs, also in midfield, proved more effective as he put through good passes.Midfielder Victor Helu had a blinder for most of the match with effective crosses from the right wing, but which could not be converted into goals.Ramblers midfielder Duncan Subeb also made several good runs to put the opposition under pressure, while Michael ‘Lazizi’ Pienaar was a pillar in defence for his team.Eliphas Heita was as reliable for his team with powerful shots at goal which, however, did not get past Tjiuoro.Referee Matthew ‘Cafu’ Katjimune blew the final whistle to send the teams into extra time for the first time in the tournament in recent years.The extra time was a relief for both sides, as players seemed to be exhausted after a physical second half.The first 15 minutes of extra time did not produce a lot of drama, but the second half saw BA taking the lead through John, who blitzed past the Ramblers defence to put his side in the lead.Unfortunately for BA, substitute defender Willem Rheis was sent off for foul play just minutes into the first half of extra time.With the score at 2-1 and only six minutes to go before the final whistle, BA fans thought their team had it wrapped, but Ramblers had different ideas.The courageous Helu took his chance with a thunderous strike from at least 25 metres that went past Tjihonge to make it 2-2 for his team.This had the Ramblers supporters on their feet with joy, while BA fans were amazed by the great comeback.In the penalty shoot-out, the hero of the evening was Likias Hafeni who scored the winning penalty to send the technical staff running onto the field from the subs bench.Tjihonge had his shot blocked by Tjiuoro.BA chairman Boni Paulino said the victory by Ramblers showed that his team was not invincible.”They played well and in football anything can happen,” he said.Ramblers technical director Mario Carreira was almost speechless, saying he could not believe the fantastic feat achieved by his team.The full-time score during the normal playing time was 1-1.In an earlier match, Blue Waters beat Golden Bees 3-1 to end third overall in the N$300 000 competition.The Pionierspark side upset Black Africa, who were on course for their sixth consecutive cup title, by pocketing their first major cup in over 15 years.Ramblers took the lead through a well-taken penalty by Quinton ‘Magic’ Jacobs in the 20th minute, after a foul on Victor Helu in the box by Moses Katjiteo.The goal sent the handful of vocal Ramblers supporters into a frenzy, silencing the BA fans who filled most of the stadium.An equaliser by the energetic Eric Aoseb for BA put smiles on the faces of their fans in the 34th minute, restoring the credibility of a team which has an incredible reputation of winning cup titles.The teams were tied 1-1 at the break.Earlier in the match, Henrico Botes only had goalkeeper Ephraim Tjihonge to beat to open the scoring for his team, but his shot went straight into Tjihonge’s legs.Two minutes later, Victor Helu hit the post for Ramblers after a goalmouth scramble, but Tjono Jagger, who made several runs on the right wing for BA, was nowhere on target as his shot flew way beyond the goal a minute later.Efforts by BA strikers Samson John and Wilfred Coetzee were well read by the lanky Michael Pienaar and George Tsamaseb, who did a sterling job for their side in defence.John on two occasions failed to hit the target as he loosely struck his shots over the goal.Coetzee also had a chance in the 38th minute, but his footing led him down, resulting in a missed kick that went astray.Ramblers goalkeeper Esau Tjiuoro coolly collected most of the shots launched towards his goal.On the other hand, Tjihonge had to fend off attempts by strikers Botes and Lazarus Kaimbi, who both struck at goal whenever they got the opportunity.In defence for BA, Hartman Toromba, Sedekia Haukambe and Moses Katjiteo were rock solid, as they cleared most balls that were directed to their goal lines.The second half produced more drama, with both teams going the extra mile in trying to push for goals.Although no goals were scored in the second half, positional battles among the players were the order of the day.Top BA midfielder Lolo ‘Baby’ Goraseb was completely shut out and prevented from doing any damage for his team, while Jacobs, also in midfield, proved more effective as he put through good passes.Midfielder Victor Helu had a blinder for most of the match with effective crosses from the right wing, but which could not be converted into goals.Ramblers midfielder Duncan Subeb also made several good runs to put the opposition under pressure, while Michael ‘Lazizi’ Pienaar was a pillar in defence for his team. Eliphas Heita was as reliable for his team with powerful shots at goal which, however, did not get past Tjiuoro.Referee Matthew ‘Cafu’ Katjimune blew the final whistle to send the teams into extra time for the first time in the tournament in recent years.The extra time was a relief for both sides, as players seemed to be exhausted after a physical second half.The first 15 minutes of extra time did not produce a lot of drama, but the second half saw BA taking the lead through John, who blitzed past the Ramblers defence to put his side in the lead.Unfortunately for BA, substitute defender Willem Rheis was sent off for foul play just minutes into the first half of extra time.With the score at 2-1 and only six minutes to go before the final whistle, BA fans thought their team had it wrapped, but Ramblers had different ideas.The courageous Helu took his chance with a thunderous strike from at least 25 metres that went past Tjihonge to make it 2-2 for his team.This had the Ramblers supporters on their feet with joy, while BA fans were amazed by the great comeback.In the penalty shoot-out, the hero of the evening was Likias Hafeni who scored the winning penalty to send the technical staff running onto the field from the subs bench.Tjihonge had his shot blocked by Tjiuoro.BA chairman Boni Paulino said the victory by Ramblers showed that his team was not invincible.”They played well and in football anything can happen,” he said.Ramblers technical director Mario Carreira was almost speechless, saying he could not believe the fantastic feat achieved by his team.
