Stars underdogs in Cup final

AFRICAN Stars will be going into tomorrow’s FNB Cup final as underdogs against Civics, but the result after 90 minutes or otherwise, will be the determining factor who will lift the trophy.

With N$170 000 at stake for the winner in this prestigious tournament, Stars will be hoping to clinch their first trophy in over ten years, with Civics expected to make their mark as the best team in the country. Stars reached the final for the second year running and will be hoping to take it this time around, but they will need to prepare their defence for a extremely tricky Civics attack and a smooth operating midfield which will marshalled by the dreadlocked Brian Gurirab.Stars will be relieved by the absence of the sensational Rudi Louw, who has been ruled out after his appeal case for appealing against a yellow card (second bookable offence) was dismissed by the NFA.Louw was given a yellow card after a collision between three players in their semi-final against Blue Waters last weekend.But despite that, Stars will also have to look for glory without their inspirational skipper Andrew Tjahikika, who is also sitting out as a result of two yellow cards.Stars can look to their left winger Freedom Puriza for those quality crosses, while their striker, Gerson Uakutura Katjatenja, will be the man to watch in front of goal for Stars.Katjatenja turned 25 today and will be hoping to give himself an early Christmas present with a goal in a cup final for Stars.In fact, it is also the birthday month for players such as Floris Diergaardt (Dec 23) William Chilufya (Dec 25), Jamu Ngatjizeko (Dec 28), while Stars youngster Leleki Mata turns 22 on December 29.Stars midfielder Johannes Boetikie Seibeb, a prolific two-footed shooter of the ball, has to put on his trademark Adidas boots to hammer possible goals if he finds himself in front of goal.Stars might once gain have Ecresol Pakie Kongoro in goal, but he is the man who will be the busiest on the day as Civics strikers such as Floris Diergaardt and Frans de Muinda will constantly be knocking on his door.Diergaardt, a former Brave Warriors goal-getter, will possibly team up with his senior partner William Chilufya, as they will be searching for goals.The registration of goals by the Civics striking force will however not be easy, as they will first have to deal with defensive stalwarts such as Mali Ngarizemo, who will be taking over the captaincy, and new signing Steven Tjeenao.It will be a busy day for the Stars defence, but it will also be a difficult task for Civics to penetrate that rock-solid back four of Stars, which include Dennis Ngueza.The battle needs to be won in the middle if either of these sides wants to set up goals for their strikers.Seibeb will go up against Gurirab, while Civics’ determined midfielder Ngatjizeko will have a date with Ronny Tjipueja in that department.Gurirab has been in good form of late and has set up goals for his strikers in the league on numerous occasions and his presence in the game has been extremely influential.For Stars, Puriza, Seibeb, Tjipueja and Katjatenja will be the men in the hunt for goals, while Civics will look to Diergaardt, Chilufya and De Muinda for a win.Stars reached the final for the second year running and will be hoping to take it this time around, but they will need to prepare their defence for a extremely tricky Civics attack and a smooth operating midfield which will marshalled by the dreadlocked Brian Gurirab.Stars will be relieved by the absence of the sensational Rudi Louw, who has been ruled out after his appeal case for appealing against a yellow card (second bookable offence) was dismissed by the NFA.Louw was given a yellow card after a collision between three players in their semi-final against Blue Waters last weekend.But despite that, Stars will also have to look for glory without their inspirational skipper Andrew Tjahikika, who is also sitting out as a result of two yellow cards.Stars can look to their left winger Freedom Puriza for those quality crosses, while their striker, Gerson Uakutura Katjatenja, will be the man to watch in front of goal for Stars.Katjatenja turned 25 today and will be hoping to give himself an early Christmas present with a goal in a cup final for Stars.In fact, it is also the birthday month for players such as Floris Diergaardt (Dec 23) William Chilufya (Dec 25), Jamu Ngatjizeko (Dec 28), while Stars youngster Leleki Mata turns 22 on December 29.Stars midfielder Johannes Boetikie Seibeb, a prolific two-footed shooter of the ball, has to put on his trademark Adidas boots to hammer possible goals if he finds himself in front of goal.Stars might once gain have Ecresol Pakie Kongoro in goal, but he is the man who will be the busiest on the day as Civics strikers such as Floris Diergaardt and Frans de Muinda will constantly be knocking on his door.Diergaardt, a former Brave Warriors goal-getter, will possibly team up with his senior partner William Chilufya, as they will be searching for goals.The registration of goals by the Civics striking force will however not be easy, as they will first have to deal with defensive stalwarts such as Mali Ngarizemo, who will be taking over the captaincy, and new signing Steven Tjeenao.It will be a busy day for the Stars defence, but it will also be a difficult task for Civics to penetrate that rock-solid back four of Stars, which include Dennis Ngueza.The battle needs to be won in the middle if either of these sides wants to set up goals for their strikers.Seibeb will go up against Gurirab, while Civics’ determined midfielder Ngatjizeko will have a date with Ronny Tjipueja in that department.Gurirab has been in good form of late and has set up goals for his strikers in the league on numerous occasions and his presence in the game has been extremely influential.For Stars, Puriza, Seibeb, Tjipueja and Katjatenja will be the men in the hunt for goals, while Civics will look to Diergaardt, Chilufya and De Muinda for a win.