Namibian Cup to rock South

THE Namibian Newspaper Cup is expected to take Keetmanshoop by storm as the popular tournament starts at the town on Friday, but the question is, which region will emerge as champions? The tournament, which has been rotated around the country, has seen Omaheke and Khomas taking the cup twice each, with Otjozondjupa and Hardap winning it once each.

With the Keetmanshoop community, who are likely to strongly support their Karas regional team, the tournament has over the years remained unpredictable as the various teams always produce a level of good competition. There are virtually no favourites as all teams start on an equal footing.Each year, a region produces a different type of football because of the new players that are picked for each edition, while some also boast with new coaches who bring in changes altogether.The winners this time around are assured of N$15 000, while the runners-up will take home N$7 500.The sponsor, The Namibian, has pumped in over N$600 000 for the tournament, which will also see two teams from South Africa forming part of the event.The Namibian Newspaper Cup is currently the only competition which involves all 13 regions on the under-20 level and this has proved beneficial for the national teams, as well as clubs in the country.Coaches from especially the premiership teams are hunting for players at this competition, while the national team selectors on both the under-20 and senior level also make use of the chance to pick their best.To date, at least 30 players who were first seen at the tournament have gone on to represent Namibia on national level, while at least the same amount are currently doing duty for premier league teams, while several are also with the lower leagues.Current Brave Warriors coach Ben Bamfuchile and his technical staff, including Brian Isaacks and Ronnie Kanalelo, will have the chance to see Namibia’s young talent in action.It will be the first time that Bamfuchile will be present at the tournament, because he was only appointed to the position last year.This year, the tournament will boast with new faces from especially the lower leagues, while some of the players who competed last year will complement their younger team-mates.Each year, at least 300 players are involved in the competition, which also aims to form friendships among players and officials.The tournament is traditionally a crowd-puller and the community at Keetmanshoop and the surrounding towns will not want to miss the chance to see their region in action.This year, Hardap as defending champions, will only play in the second round of the event when they are expected to meet the winner between Omaheke and Oshikoto.Entrance is free for spectators.There are virtually no favourites as all teams start on an equal footing.Each year, a region produces a different type of football because of the new players that are picked for each edition, while some also boast with new coaches who bring in changes altogether.The winners this time around are assured of N$15 000, while the runners-up will take home N$7 500.The sponsor, The Namibian, has pumped in over N$600 000 for the tournament, which will also see two teams from South Africa forming part of the event.The Namibian Newspaper Cup is currently the only competition which involves all 13 regions on the under-20 level and this has proved beneficial for the national teams, as well as clubs in the country.Coaches from especially the premiership teams are hunting for players at this competition, while the national team selectors on both the under-20 and senior level also make use of the chance to pick their best.To date, at least 30 players who were first seen at the tournament have gone on to represent Namibia on national level, while at least the same amount are currently doing duty for premier league teams, while several are also with the lower leagues.Current Brave Warriors coach Ben Bamfuchile and his technical staff, including Brian Isaacks and Ronnie Kanalelo, will have the chance to see Namibia’s young talent in action.It will be the first time that Bamfuchile will be present at the tournament, because he was only appointed to the position last year.This year, the tournament will boast with new faces from especially the lower leagues, while some of the players who competed last year will complement their younger team-mates.Each year, at least 300 players are involved in the competition, which also aims to form friendships among players and officials.The tournament is traditionally a crowd-puller and the community at Keetmanshoop and the surrounding towns will not want to miss the chance to see their region in action.This year, Hardap as defending champions, will only play in the second round of the event when they are expected to meet the winner between Omaheke and Oshikoto.Entrance is free for spectators.