SKW in with chance at FNB Cup as Radebe comes to Namibia

CYMOT SKW football side stands a chance to advance to the final of the FNB Cup this Friday, provided the players produce the excellent form they did last Friday against United Africa Tigers in the MTC Namibia Premier League.

SKW squares up against Katutura giants African Stars in the second semi-final of the FNB Cup, ahead of Buschschule Civics which takes on Blue Waters in the first semi-final to be decided at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Friday night. SKW shocked United Africa Tigers last Friday with a 1-0 win, but the Olympia side was abruptly brought down to earth with an embarrassing 6-0 defeat by Ramblers on Sunday.The side would want to forget this score line (6-0) as quick as possible and will hope to find the fine form they displayed against Tigers instead.This time, SKW, which made its first entry into the semi-finals of the competition since its promotion this season, will have to prove that their win over Tigers was no fluke.Tigers are currently in the leading bunch for the league title.SKW lifted themselves up from the bottom of the table after the win over Tigers, but will they pip Stars to land the final spot in the N$500 000 tournament? The winners in the final walk away with N$160 000.SKW have so far won one match from their five encounters and have three points to their credit compared to Stars, who are stuck in fourth spot on the log with 10 points.Although the team had a tight defence against Tigers, their strikers, led by Arent von Stryk and Frans van Wyk, need to sharpen up if they want to find their way past the Stars back four.Stars have the potential to go through to the final, but cup competitions have proven to be different from league matches.RIVALRY ON Blue Waters will be out to get revenge against Civics on many fronts.The players will firstly go out to outplay each other in the respective positions, with the biggest rivalry expected among the defenders and front men of both teams.The two coaches, Helmut Scharnowski for Civics and Shepherd Murape, have huge respect for each other, but always try to outwit each other on the field with especially tactical play.Civics would want to make use of the home advantage by making it difficult for Blue Waters to score, a fact that will inspire the ‘Beautiful Birds’ to prove the home side wrong.Civics are flying high at the summit of the log with 16 points after six matches, but Blue Waters are just four points adrift with a game in hand.The FNB Cup will be a good measurement of their respective strengths before they meet in 2006 when the league resumes again.RADEBE IN NAMIBIA Former South African and Leeds United footballer, Lucas Radebe, will be in Windhoek on Friday ahead of the FNB Cup finals and returns on Sunday.Radebe will be here on invitation of the First National Bank of Namibia (FNB) who are the hosts for the cup competition this weekend.According to FNB spokesperson Cassius Moetie, Radebe will arrive early on Friday morning and will later on that day provide tips to coaches at the venue for the matches.On Saturday, Moetie said the 36-year-old former defensive stalwart will hold a coaching clinic for children at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, where he will also sign autographs.”We decided to bring him here because he is one of the world acclaimed footballers and we can also tap valuable tips on the game from him.He is a Fifa Goodwill Ambassador for the SOS Programme, while he is also representing the FNB brand,” he said.Radebe has never been to Namibia before.SKW shocked United Africa Tigers last Friday with a 1-0 win, but the Olympia side was abruptly brought down to earth with an embarrassing 6-0 defeat by Ramblers on Sunday.The side would want to forget this score line (6-0) as quick as possible and will hope to find the fine form they displayed against Tigers instead.This time, SKW, which made its first entry into the semi-finals of the competition since its promotion this season, will have to prove that their win over Tigers was no fluke.Tigers are currently in the leading bunch for the league title.SKW lifted themselves up from the bottom of the table after the win over Tigers, but will they pip Stars to land the final spot in the N$500 000 tournament? The winners in the final walk away with N$160 000.SKW have so far won one match from their five encounters and have three points to their credit compared to Stars, who are stuck in fourth spot on the log with 10 points.Although the team had a tight defence against Tigers, their strikers, led by Arent von Stryk and Frans van Wyk, need to sharpen up if they want to find their way past the Stars back four.Stars have the potential to go through to the final, but cup competitions have proven to be different from league matches.RIVALRY ON Blue Waters will be out to get revenge against Civics on many fronts.The players will firstly go out to outplay each other in the respective positions, with the biggest rivalry expected among the defenders and front men of both teams.The two coaches, Helmut Scharnowski for Civics and Shepherd Murape, have huge respect for each other, but always try to outwit each other on the field with especially tactical play.Civics would want to make use of the home advantage by making it difficult for Blue Waters to score, a fact that will inspire the ‘Beautiful Birds’ to prove the home side wrong.Civics are flying high at the summit of the log with 16 points after six matches, but Blue Waters are just four points adrift with a game in hand.The FNB Cup will be a good measurement of their respective strengths before they meet in 2006 when the league resumes again.RADEBE IN NAMIBIA Former South African and Leeds United footballer, Lucas Radebe, will be in Windhoek on Friday ahead of the FNB Cup finals and returns on Sunday.Radebe will be here on invitation of the First National Bank of Namibia (FNB) who are the hosts for the cup competition this weekend.According to FNB spokesperson Cassius Moetie, Radebe will arrive early on Friday morning and will later on that day provide tips to coaches at the venue for the matches.On Saturday, Moetie said the 36-year-old former defensive stalwart will hold a coaching clinic for children at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, where he will also sign autographs.”We decided to bring him here because he is one of the world acclaimed footballers and we can also tap valuable tips on the game from him.He is a Fifa Goodwill Ambassador for the SOS Programme, while he is also representing the FNB brand,” he said.Radebe has never been to Namibia before.