Gunners face Stars in MTC Cup semis

MIGHTY Gunners will hope to find a way past African Stars, while Ramblers and Pirates are expected to dole out a thriller, when they all square up in the semi-finals of the NFA MTC Cup at Walvis Bay’s Kuisebmond Stadium on April 28.

The Gunners ousted Black Africa from the competition in their quarter-final match at Oshakati last weekend, but will now be presented with a different situation in the form of Stars, who are also eager to make it to the final. Ramblers, who were in devastating form against Eleven Arrows as they wiped off the coastal side from the radar with a 4-0 win in the quarters, will have an uphill battle this time around.Although Pirates had to come back from a goal down against Eleven Brothers in the quarters to win 4-2, they will be prepared for the blue and white outfit, which has a huge amount of talent and experience.Stars have been on course for cup competitions since last season and have played in the semi-finals of the FNB Cup twice, but have also reached the final of the then NFA Cup (now MTC Cup) once when they lost 2-1 to Tigers in 1996.Ramblers won the MTC Cup in 2005, while Pirates scooped it again in 2006 after winning it in 2001 against Tigers in their 2-1 win played in Rundu.Mighty Gunners have never reached the semi-finals of the country’s richest football competition and it will be a golden opportunity to make history to fight their way through to the final.If they lose in the semi-finals, Gunners are guaranteed of N$70 000, while it will be the case between Pirates and Ramblers.The winners of the MTC Cup will walk away with N$350 000, with the runners-up settling for N$160 000.The final will be played in Windhoek later in May.Ramblers, who were in devastating form against Eleven Arrows as they wiped off the coastal side from the radar with a 4-0 win in the quarters, will have an uphill battle this time around.Although Pirates had to come back from a goal down against Eleven Brothers in the quarters to win 4-2, they will be prepared for the blue and white outfit, which has a huge amount of talent and experience.Stars have been on course for cup competitions since last season and have played in the semi-finals of the FNB Cup twice, but have also reached the final of the then NFA Cup (now MTC Cup) once when they lost 2-1 to Tigers in 1996.Ramblers won the MTC Cup in 2005, while Pirates scooped it again in 2006 after winning it in 2001 against Tigers in their 2-1 win played in Rundu.Mighty Gunners have never reached the semi-finals of the country’s richest football competition and it will be a golden opportunity to make history to fight their way through to the final.If they lose in the semi-finals, Gunners are guaranteed of N$70 000, while it will be the case between Pirates and Ramblers.The winners of the MTC Cup will walk away with N$350 000, with the runners-up settling for N$160 000.The final will be played in Windhoek later in May.