Carlos Kambaekwa
21 April 2008
Windhoek — The Namibian Under-20 football team will face a mammoth task when they travel to Botswana for their 2nd leg of the African Youth Cup qualifier in two weeks' time.
"Bobby's Babes", as the youngsters are affectionately known amongst their ardent supporters, surrendered a first half lead to share the spoils with the Young Zebras in the first leg of their continental qualifier at the Khomasdal Stadium in Windhoek on Friday.
The visitors played with more purpose and signalled their intentions very early in the game - peppering the Namibian goalmouth with several potshots but Namibia's agile goalkeeper Maxmilan Mbaeva was equal to the task.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 10th minute when the powerfully built Eusebio Fredericks shook off his marker before rattling home a wonderful grass - cutter - very much against the run of play.
The Orlando Pirates protégé controlled a well-measured cross from the enterprising Enslin Kamuhanga after the Civics' left winger dispossessed a defender before he let fly with a telling delivery across an unguarded goalmouth.
The visitors kept their cool and had the hosts pinned down in their own half for the better part of the game but that oak door of the Namibian defence held for a slender 1-goal lead at the changeover.
Botswana upped their game in the second half in search of that elusive vital away goal and eventually got their name on the scoresheet when Gafaone Molati was presented with the easiest of tap-ins from close range after the entire Namibian defence was caught ball watching.
From there on, the Young Zebras closed shop and were more content with defending their treasured away goal which might prove vital in the final leg.
Alaves and Stars to Contest Hansa Pilsener Cup Final , Meanwhile, former MTC Namibia Premiership outfit United Stars from Rundu reached the final of the annual Hansa Pilsener Cup for teams campaigning in the country's 3rd tier division.
The Rundu-based team saw off Invincible Football Club in a closely contested semifinal at the Swakopmund Fussball Club field on Saturday, while Willy Swarts' Deportivo Alaves also cruised through to the final at the expense of coastal outfit Blue Boys.
The Rehobothers defeated a stubborn Blue Boys outfit by 2 goals to 1 in the other semifinal of the lucrative Hansa Pilsener Cup at the same venue on Saturday, to set up what promises to be a thrilling final between the two former Premiership clubs.
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