Sam Nujoma Stadium finally inaugurated

THE Sam Nujoma Soccer Stadium was finally inaugurated on Saturday when about 5 000 spectators witnessed an action-packed programme of soccer matches, cultural performances, musical performance and firework displays.

Namibia’s founding President Sam Nujoma was also present to unveil the plaque and, of course, kick the first soccer ball to officially open the stadium. On the site of the old Katutura Stadium where Namibia’s former soccer greats displayed their skills, an impressive new stadium with a seating capacity of 10 300 has arisen.At a cost of N$64 million to be footed by the taxpayers, the stadium has not come cheaply, and Nujoma appealed to the public to safeguard the “social investment.””It is important for all of us to take ownership and full responsibility to protect this facility against vandalism,” he said.Nujoma called on sport event organisers to vigorously make use of the stadium.”It will be a national disaster if this welcome investment cannot be utilised for the benefit of our sportsmen and women and become a white elephant,” he added.This fear has already been expressed by many, with several Premier League soccer coaches complaining about the high cost of renting the stadium – N$4 500 per team.The City of Windhoek has indicated that it will review the pricing structure in six months’ time, but till then, we will have to wait and see if it will be optimally utilised.With an entrance fee of N$10 per adult and N$5 per child, many Katutura residents preferred to stay at home and the official opening only drew about 5 000 people.It is to be hoped that future Premier League matches will not be played out in a near-empty coliseum-like dome.CIVICS BEAT RAMBLERS With the new soccer season still in limbo, pending the oft-postponed promotion-relegation play-offs, the six Premier League teams in action looked remarkably sharp and provided some top-class soccer.In the first match, league champions Civics beat the NFA Cup winners Ramblers 1-0 through a goal by new signing Wilfred Mazembe.The Zimbabwean midfielder, who joined Civics from relegated Friends, was on hand to head in a perfect cross by Donny Isaccs, after Ramblers’ keeper Esau Tjiouro fumbled the high ball.It was an even encounter with both sides wasting several scoring opportunities.For Civics, William Chilufya came close on a few occasions, while Victor Helu, Lazarus Kaimbi and Michael Pienaar had the best chances for Ramblers.Both teams’ defenders, however, held firm, with Pienaar and Erastus Ndjavera catching the eye for Ramblers and Franklin April and Dixon Witbeen for Civics.PIRATES BEAT STARS In the second match, Orlando Pirates beat African Stars 1-0 through a 6th minute goal by Tommy Horaeb.The young midfielder latched on to a defence-splitting pass by Riaan Cloete to calmly chip the ball into the net.Stars had several chances with Brouwer Litombo coming close on two occasions, but Pirates’ defence withstood the pressure.In the 20th minute Pirates suffered a blow when Enrico Afrikaner was red-carded for a foul, but despite the numerical advantage, Stars couldn’t find the equaliser.Johannes Malgas looked dangerous in attack, while Victor Blaauw also had his chances, but Pirates’ defence held, and they managed to hold on for the victory.BLACK AFRICA, TIGERS DRAW The main match was an action-packed affair between Black Africa and Tigers.Kevin Bock put Tigers ahead in the 6th minute when he received a great pass from Nelson Akwenye and rounded the onrushing Ephraim Tjihonge to put the ball into the net.Black Africa came back and crowd favourite Lolo Goraseb started making his mark with his ball control and pinpoint passes.He first put Tjono Jagger clear, who came close with a long range cross, while a cracking Goraseb shot then brought out a fine save by Fox Nambundunga.Black Africa continued to attack in the second half and they finally found the equaliser when new signing George Tjombe from Eleven Arrows headed in from a pinpoint Masepo Dausab cross.Tjombe and Goraseb had several more chances for Blkack Africa, but Nambundunga kept them out with some fine saves.For Tigers, Page Ananias hit the upright with a piledriver, while Bock and second half substitute Leonard Stanley also had their chances.The teams provided fitting performances for the opening of the Sam Nujoma Soccer Stadium, whetting the appetite of soccer lovers for the start of the new season.Let’s just hope it happens soon.- Namibia SportOn the site of the old Katutura Stadium where Namibia’s former soccer greats displayed their skills, an impressive new stadium with a seating capacity of 10 300 has arisen.At a cost of N$64 million to be footed by the taxpayers, the stadium has not come cheaply, and Nujoma appealed to the public to safeguard the “social investment.””It is important for all of us to take ownership and full responsibility to protect this facility against vandalism,” he said.Nujoma called on sport event organisers to vigorously make use of the stadium.”It will be a national disaster if this welcome investment cannot be utilised for the benefit of our sportsmen and women and become a white elephant,” he added.This fear has already been expressed by many, with several Premier League soccer coaches complaining about the high cost of renting the stadium – N$4 500 per team.The City of Windhoek has indicated that it will review the pricing structure in six months’ time, but till then, we will have to wait and see if it will be optimally utilised.With an entrance fee of N$10 per adult and N$5 per child, many Katutura residents preferred to stay at home and the official opening only drew about 5 000 people.It is to be hoped that future Premier League matches will not be played out in a near-empty coliseum-like dome.CIVICS BEAT RAMBLERS With the new soccer season still in limbo, pending the oft-postponed promotion-relegation play-offs, the six Premier League teams in action looked remarkably sharp and provided some top-class soccer.In the first match, league champions Civics beat the NFA Cup winners Ramblers 1-0 through a goal by new signing Wilfred Mazembe.The Zimbabwean midfielder, who joined Civics from relegated Friends, was on hand to head in a perfect cross by Donny Isaccs, after Ramblers’ keeper Esau Tjiouro fumbled the high ball.It was an even encounter with both sides wasting several scoring opportunities.For Civics, William Chilufya came close on a few occasions, while Victor Helu, Lazarus Kaimbi and Michael Pienaar had the best chances for Ramblers.Both teams’ defenders, however, held firm, with Pienaar and Erastus Ndjavera catching the eye for Ramblers and Franklin April and Dixon Witbeen for Civics.PIRATES BEAT STARS In the second match, Orlando Pirates beat African Stars 1-0 through a 6th minute goal by Tommy Horaeb.The young midfielder latched on to a defence-splitting pass by Riaan Cloete to calmly chip the ball into the net.Stars had several chances with Brouwer Litombo coming close on two occasions, but Pirates’ defence withstood the pressure.In the 20th minute Pirates suffered a blow when Enrico Afrikaner was red-carded for a foul, but despite the numerical advantage, Stars couldn’t find the equaliser.Johannes Malgas looked dangerous in attack, while Victor Blaauw also had his chances, but Pirates’ defence held, and they managed to hold on for the victory.BLACK AFRICA, TIGERS DRAW The main match was an action-packed affair between Black Africa and Tigers.Kevin Bock put Tigers ahead in the 6th minute when he received a great pass from Nelson Akwenye and rounded the onrushing Ephraim Tjihonge to put the ball into the net.Black Africa came back and crowd favourite Lolo Goraseb started making his mark with his ball control and pinpoint passes.He first put Tjono Jagger clear, who came close with a long range cross, while a cracking Goraseb shot then brought out a fine save by Fox Nambundunga.Black Africa continued to attack in the second half and they finally found the equaliser when new signing George Tjombe from Eleven Arrows headed in from a pinpoint Masepo Dausab cross.Tjombe and Goraseb had several more chances for Blkack Africa, but Nambundunga kept them out with some fine saves.For Tigers, Page Ananias hit the upright with a piledriver, while Bock and second half substitute Leonard Stanley also had their chances.The teams provided fitting performances for the opening of the Sam Nujoma Soccer Stadium, whetting the appetite of soccer lovers for the start of the new season.Let’s just hope it happens soon.- Namibia Sport