Coaches eye MTC/NFA cup glory
Expect fireworks when the MTC NFA Cup kicks off in the capital on next month.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
Despite being the favourites to lift the coveted MTC/NFA title on 31 July, the country's elite clubs know all too well not to take their counterparts from the lower leagues lightly when the knockout competition commences next month.
While the draw for the MTC Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup was conducted at the Palm Hotel in Windhoek yesterday, some coaches are already devising strategies to overcome their opponents.
The competition will be in the form of a knockout format, with clubs from the transitional Namibia Football Premier League, first and second divisions all gunning for top honors. Six of the Namibia Premier Football League will face each other in the round of 32, while the remaining six will do battle against lower league sides. Tigers Football Club coach Ali Akan, whose team will face Young Generation from the second division, said he is not taking his opponents lightly, adding that knockout cup competitions are full of upsets.
“I don't know much about second division football in Namibia. All I know is that it has been a while since football was played. We can be the favourites on paper but the opponents can score and that's the end of our road,” he said. The coastal derby between Eleven Arrows and Blue Waters is expected to be one of the mouth-watering encounters.
Eleven Arrows coach, Gerhard Hengari, said the cup will bring back a 'good vibe'.
“We are looking forward to it. We have played and won cup competitions in 2013 and 2017, this time we will see how far we will go. We are not underestimating anyone,” he said. His crosstown rival, Paulus Shipanga who will be in the Blue Waters dugout, has expressed mixed feelings.
“Hopefully Walvis Bay will be the venue seeing that it's a derby. We are looking forward to the games because the team is starting to gel and the players are beginning to understand my philosophy,” he said.
Prizes
League director Mabos Vries said participating clubs will receive playing gear as well as N$18 000 for preparations and all other logics from the round of 32 to the final. He further indicated that the individual prizes will include a player of the series who will walk away with N$20 000.
The top goal scorer will receive N$15 000, while the goalkeeper of the series, best match official and assistant referee will receive N$10 000 each.
The winning team of the tournament will walk away with N$500 000, followed by the runners-up who will bag N$250 000 while the third and fourth placed teams will receive N$150 000 and N$100 000 respectively for their efforts.
The round of 32 starts on 15 May, tfollowed by the round of 16 that will take place from 19 - 20 June. The round of 8 will then continue from 3 to 4 July and the semi-finals will be on 17 and 18 July, with the final set for 31 July.
The draw:
Newcastle United vs DTS Hopsol
Young Generation vs Tigers
Super Eleven vs Kaltes Wasser Football Academy
Tura Magic vs Atlanta Bucks
Robber Chanties vs Citizens
Ongwediva City vs Black Africa
Nossob Football Club vs Black Marocco Chiefs
Space Age vs Mighty Gunners
Khuse Lions vs Oshikuku Youngsters
Swakopmund Football Club vs Ohangwena Nampol
Western Spurs vs North East first Division (winner)
North East First Division (runner up) vs Civics
Eleven Arrows vs Blue Waters
Young Braves vs New Poison
Julinho Sporting vs Young Brazilians
Young African vs Orlando Pirates
WINDHOEK
Despite being the favourites to lift the coveted MTC/NFA title on 31 July, the country's elite clubs know all too well not to take their counterparts from the lower leagues lightly when the knockout competition commences next month.
While the draw for the MTC Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup was conducted at the Palm Hotel in Windhoek yesterday, some coaches are already devising strategies to overcome their opponents.
The competition will be in the form of a knockout format, with clubs from the transitional Namibia Football Premier League, first and second divisions all gunning for top honors. Six of the Namibia Premier Football League will face each other in the round of 32, while the remaining six will do battle against lower league sides. Tigers Football Club coach Ali Akan, whose team will face Young Generation from the second division, said he is not taking his opponents lightly, adding that knockout cup competitions are full of upsets.
“I don't know much about second division football in Namibia. All I know is that it has been a while since football was played. We can be the favourites on paper but the opponents can score and that's the end of our road,” he said. The coastal derby between Eleven Arrows and Blue Waters is expected to be one of the mouth-watering encounters.
Eleven Arrows coach, Gerhard Hengari, said the cup will bring back a 'good vibe'.
“We are looking forward to it. We have played and won cup competitions in 2013 and 2017, this time we will see how far we will go. We are not underestimating anyone,” he said. His crosstown rival, Paulus Shipanga who will be in the Blue Waters dugout, has expressed mixed feelings.
“Hopefully Walvis Bay will be the venue seeing that it's a derby. We are looking forward to the games because the team is starting to gel and the players are beginning to understand my philosophy,” he said.
Prizes
League director Mabos Vries said participating clubs will receive playing gear as well as N$18 000 for preparations and all other logics from the round of 32 to the final. He further indicated that the individual prizes will include a player of the series who will walk away with N$20 000.
The top goal scorer will receive N$15 000, while the goalkeeper of the series, best match official and assistant referee will receive N$10 000 each.
The winning team of the tournament will walk away with N$500 000, followed by the runners-up who will bag N$250 000 while the third and fourth placed teams will receive N$150 000 and N$100 000 respectively for their efforts.
The round of 32 starts on 15 May, tfollowed by the round of 16 that will take place from 19 - 20 June. The round of 8 will then continue from 3 to 4 July and the semi-finals will be on 17 and 18 July, with the final set for 31 July.
The draw:
Newcastle United vs DTS Hopsol
Young Generation vs Tigers
Super Eleven vs Kaltes Wasser Football Academy
Tura Magic vs Atlanta Bucks
Robber Chanties vs Citizens
Ongwediva City vs Black Africa
Nossob Football Club vs Black Marocco Chiefs
Space Age vs Mighty Gunners
Khuse Lions vs Oshikuku Youngsters
Swakopmund Football Club vs Ohangwena Nampol
Western Spurs vs North East first Division (winner)
North East First Division (runner up) vs Civics
Eleven Arrows vs Blue Waters
Young Braves vs New Poison
Julinho Sporting vs Young Brazilians
Young African vs Orlando Pirates
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