Otniel Hembapu
27 April 2011
Windhoek — Reigning champions Khomas edged Karas region 1-0 to win the 11th edition of the Namibian Newspaper Cup in an enthralling final at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis on Monday.
The tournament was officially opened on Friday with a game between Oshana region and Omaheke, with both teams showing quality football, which resulted in a 1-all draw and had to be decided by penalties.
Omaheke region came out winners in the lottery, winning 4 -2 to make it through. Caprivi Region lost 1-5 to Otjozondjupa and Ohangwena fell 1-4 on penalties against Karas.
In a northern bullfight, Oshikoto region destroyed Kavango 4-0 to proceed to the next stage.
Hardap played some good football but luck was not on their side as they were hammered 2-0 by Erongo region.
Kunene lost 3-2 against Omusati.
As the loser’s section was played on Saturday, Oshana region was unstoppable when they demolished Caprivi 7-1 to make their way to the loser’s section semi-finals, while Ohangwena won Kavango 3-1and Hardap lost 5-4 on penalties against Kunene, as both Kunene and Ohangwena made it through to the loser’s semi-finals.
The winners’ section was played later in the day with defending champions Khomas region facing Omaheke. Khomas showed why they are the defending champions of the Newspaper Cup, when they defeated Omaheke 1-0 to book their place in the winner’s semi-finals.
Karas beat Otjozondjupa 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw within the given 90 minutes of the game, while Erongo wasted no time in sending the northern boys back home, when they dispatched Oshikoto 2-0 to make it to the winners semi-finals.
Sunday saw the losers’ semi-finals and the winners semi-finals being played.
Khomas region opened the winner’s semi-finals against Omusati. The central boys showed skill and played tactical football, triumphing 4-0 against the hapless Omusati region to book a place in the final.
Karas won 4-3 against Erongo on penalties, after a goalless draw, to secure a place in the final.
The final between Khomas and Karas was a see-saw affair but Khomas proved their mettle, winning 1-0 to become winners of the Newspaper Cup for a record fourth time.
Ohangwena and Hardap made it through to the loser’s final, with Ohangwena winning 4-3 to claim third spot.
The price list of the tournament reads as follows:
1.Winners – N$18,300 (Khomas Region)
2. Runners-up- N$ 10.000 (Karas Region)
3. Winners of the loser’s final- N$ 4.000 (Ohangwena Region)
4. Fair play award- N$ 2.000 (Omusati Region)
5.Goalkeeper of the tournament- N$ 1.000 (Robert Xamseb, Khomas Region)
6.Refree of the tournament- N$ 1.000 (Dankie Shivana from Otjozondjupa Region)
7. Top Goal Scorers of the tournament – N$ 1.000 each (Ismeal Asser from Ohangwena and Haidula Fares from Oshana Region)
AllAfrica – All the Time
More here:
Hail Cup Kings Khomas