Stars looking forward to MTC Maris Cup final
Football
Both finalists will be very confident in their abilities and counting on the support of their fans.
African Stars coach Benedictus Haoseb expressed confidence that his team will play a good match against Young African FC in the final of the MTC Maris Cup at the Hage Geingob Stadium on Saturday (kick-off at 17:00).
Both sets of coaches are looking forward to the rivalry that exists between the two sides.
Haoseb said: “The team is in good spirits and we have everyone back from international duty; that is why we are looking forward for this match.
“I must say I do not expect an easy match from Young African FC, because they are indeed a team with talented players.
“I think the fans should be really excited about this one, because it is going to be a very entertaining match full of surprises.”
African Stars will go into the match oozing with confidence given that they have already won a few cup finals before.
They will however be aware of the memories that they have lost two cup competitions at the hands of Eeshoke Chula Chula.
It is for this reason that Haoseb is focused on guarding against complacency and making sure that his team does not underestimate their opponents.
“This is a cup final and everything is possible and that is why we have to guard against being complacent because we know that Young African will take the game to us.
“All I can say is that the boys hardly need any more motivation, because the magnitude of the match is already inspiring them to do well,” Haoseb reiterated.
Stars will be relying on the presence of their skipper Ronald Ketjijere who comes with a wealth of experience.
With experienced options such as midfielder Ngero Katua, defender Charles Hambira and the proven ability of strikers Willy Stephanus, Mbakondja Tjahikika and Comoros national team player Ibroihim Youssouf, it comes as little surprise that the defending Debmarine Namibia Premier Football League champions have been on the march lately.
In contrast, Young African is the only unbeaten team in this premiership season after 12 matches and is currently level with log leaders African Stars (11 matches) on 22 points each.
Fans
Haoseb invites Namibian football fans to come in their numbers and support the team.
“This is a big match and we invite all our supporters to come in their numbers in order to make the atmosphere electric.
“Our fans have always stood behind us for many of the matches and I hope that they will be there to witness the match.”
The winning team will walk away with N$1,5 million and a trophy for their efforts.
Scoring individuals
A handy N$20,000 is up for grabs for the Maris Cup series’ top individual goal-scorer.
Following the two semi-finals played in Mariental, five players were level on two goals each – of which four are from eliminated teams (Elias Hambongo of KK Palace; Kleopas Bester Useb of Bucks Buccaneers; Nestor Iyambo of Unam and Nicodemus Haikali of FC Ongos).
Mbazuvirua Tjiveta of African Stars will enter the final with two previous Maris Cup goals behind his name. His team mates Edmund Kambanda, Ronald Ketjijere, Ibroihim Youssouf and Rikambura Muundjua each have one goal to their credit.
For the opposing Young African side, Aichel Calane, Denzel Narib, George Hummel, Himeezembi Kahee and Penda Moweudhi have each scored once to carry their team into a memorable cup final appearance.
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Both sets of coaches are looking forward to the rivalry that exists between the two sides.
Haoseb said: “The team is in good spirits and we have everyone back from international duty; that is why we are looking forward for this match.
“I must say I do not expect an easy match from Young African FC, because they are indeed a team with talented players.
“I think the fans should be really excited about this one, because it is going to be a very entertaining match full of surprises.”
African Stars will go into the match oozing with confidence given that they have already won a few cup finals before.
They will however be aware of the memories that they have lost two cup competitions at the hands of Eeshoke Chula Chula.
It is for this reason that Haoseb is focused on guarding against complacency and making sure that his team does not underestimate their opponents.
“This is a cup final and everything is possible and that is why we have to guard against being complacent because we know that Young African will take the game to us.
“All I can say is that the boys hardly need any more motivation, because the magnitude of the match is already inspiring them to do well,” Haoseb reiterated.
Stars will be relying on the presence of their skipper Ronald Ketjijere who comes with a wealth of experience.
With experienced options such as midfielder Ngero Katua, defender Charles Hambira and the proven ability of strikers Willy Stephanus, Mbakondja Tjahikika and Comoros national team player Ibroihim Youssouf, it comes as little surprise that the defending Debmarine Namibia Premier Football League champions have been on the march lately.
In contrast, Young African is the only unbeaten team in this premiership season after 12 matches and is currently level with log leaders African Stars (11 matches) on 22 points each.
Fans
Haoseb invites Namibian football fans to come in their numbers and support the team.
“This is a big match and we invite all our supporters to come in their numbers in order to make the atmosphere electric.
“Our fans have always stood behind us for many of the matches and I hope that they will be there to witness the match.”
The winning team will walk away with N$1,5 million and a trophy for their efforts.
Scoring individuals
A handy N$20,000 is up for grabs for the Maris Cup series’ top individual goal-scorer.
Following the two semi-finals played in Mariental, five players were level on two goals each – of which four are from eliminated teams (Elias Hambongo of KK Palace; Kleopas Bester Useb of Bucks Buccaneers; Nestor Iyambo of Unam and Nicodemus Haikali of FC Ongos).
Mbazuvirua Tjiveta of African Stars will enter the final with two previous Maris Cup goals behind his name. His team mates Edmund Kambanda, Ronald Ketjijere, Ibroihim Youssouf and Rikambura Muundjua each have one goal to their credit.
For the opposing Young African side, Aichel Calane, Denzel Narib, George Hummel, Himeezembi Kahee and Penda Moweudhi have each scored once to carry their team into a memorable cup final appearance.
– [email protected]
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