Carlos Kambaekwa
28 April 2008
Mariental — It took Civics just one minute to get onto the score sheet and it took one moment of genius from their number one player Tuyeni "TT" Tugela, to see off Fedics United in a tense MTC NFA Cup quarter-final clash at the Mariental sports field yesterday.
Going into the match as underdogs - United were caught napping in the opening minute of the game, but the Southerners immediately dusted themselves off after the setback and put up a brave fight against their more fancied opponents.
If ball possession could win games, United could have easily emerged as winners, but the Keetmanshoopers failed to maximize their territorial advantage and turned it into goals when it mattered the most. Despite having the lion's share of the proceedings in the latter stages of an otherwise entertaining match - United were left kicking their heels in frustration as Ricardo Mannetti's charges held on for dear life until the final whistle. (Civics 1 - 0 United).
In yesterday's other action, a goal from either side of play via the deadly boot of Oshikandela Ramblers' hotshot striker Pineas Jacobs ended Tigers' slim hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the country's richest tournament. Tigers started off strongly and launched several attacks with the first real goal scoring opportunity falling to Knowledge Ipinge.
The former Blue Waters' protégé beat the onrushing Andries Kanyemba in Ramblers' goal but then watched in disbelief as his lobbed shot flew inches over the crossbar.
Former Blue Waters and Brave Warriors' skilful left back Jason "Khumalo" Petrus sent the crowd into raptures with a trademark free kick from 40 meters out, but the ball just missed the upright with Kanyemba well beaten. Jacobs put Ramblers ahead with a left-footed scorcher after the quicksilver striker dispossessed Petrus in the box before leaving Fox Nambundunga spraw-ling on the turf on the stroke of halftime.
Tigers came out strongly in the second half and captain of the day Neville Nanub almost brought the teams level again but the former Orlando Pirates midfielder shot over the crossbar when presented with a golden chance in front of an open goal.
Kanyemba brought a good save from fullback Willem Mwedihanga who had ventured forward and from the resultant corner kick the ball was cleared by the Ramblers rearguard and fell to Nelson "Dicky" Akwenye who in turn spotted an unmarked Jacobs lingering on the left flank.
Jacobs outsprinted his marker and chipped the ball over the advancing Nambundunga before he bravely followed up the goal-bound shot ahead of the hesitant Mwedihanga and stamped it home to complete his brace.
On Saturday, Black Africa surrendered a one-goal lead and allowed their opponents Cymot Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) to claw their way back into a game in which they at one stage looked dead and buried. Africa took the lead in the 19th minute through livewire goal poacher Jerome Louis and looked poised for a smooth-sailing march to the semi finals, until the Germans modified their game plan with some cleverly worked-out substitutions.
Edward "Sledge" Gowaseb scored a beauty after some good inter passing to draw the teams on level terms again in the 78th minute.
Africa's Donovan Swarts was presented with an inviting opportunity to restore his team's slender lead but the pint-sized striker dilly-dallied and by the time he opted to shoot - his tame shot was easily blocked on the goal line with SKW's goalkeeper Heribert Kapeng, nowhere to be seen. And that's how it remained. (Black Africa 1 - 1 SKW).
The tie had to be decided by the dreaded penalty shootout until Africa's substitute Duncan Subeb, who also had a brief stint with the Germans last season, hit the upright from the spot. Former Chief Santos and much-travelled midfielder Warren Neidel scored the decisive penalty - much to the delight of the Germans' coaching pair of Richard Starke and Rolf Beiter. (SKW wins 5-4 on penalties).
Penalty sequence: BA-Nelson Geingob (scores), SKW-Silver Zemburuka (scores) BA-Erastus Mundjanima (scores), SKW-Barnes Lisaku (scores), BA-Moses Katjiteo (scores), SKW-Frans "Keff" van Wyk (scores), BA-Duncan Subeb (misses), SKW-Bobby Kaapama (scores), BA-Gadaffi Gariseb (scores), SKW-Warren Neidel (scores).
Defending champions African Stars were made to sweat all the way by a stubborn Hotspurs in the second quarterfinal on Saturday. Stars started like men possessed and spread the ball at will - giving their lower division opponents little room to manoeuvre with Jasmin "Ninja" Karongee pulling the strings in a crowded midfield.
The Reds went ahead in the 37th minute through the ever-alert Silver Suriyari. The Zimbabwean import reacted quickly to head in a rebound off the post from Heinrich Kazeurua's well measured cross.
Stars extended their slender lead 3 minutes into the second half when Karongee beat the offside trap and rolled the ball into an empty net after the often short-fuse bow legged midfielder rounded off the advancing Thomas Shilumba in Spurs' goal.
However, the Sowetans quickly regrouped and mounted several attacks which saw their highly rated opponents living by the skin of their teeth for the latter part of the second half. Karongee had the ball in the net for his second goal of the night but his effort was controversially ruled out for offside - much to the amazement of coach Gilbert Rwasoka on Stars' bench.
In between, Spurs created numerous goal-scoring chances with skipper Fabrianus Shilongo at the heart of their moves, but Max Mbaeva in Stars' goal had other ideas as the lanky National Under-20 net-minder easily dealt with every danger posted at him.
With 16 minutes left on the clock, Spurs' substitute Frans Sheenda rose above a static Stars' defence and headed powerfully into the net from Thomas Rooi's cross and beat Mbaeva hands down to give the Sowetans some glimmer of hope.
The goal inspired the first division campaigners as they started carving gaps in a fragile Stars' rearguard, but wayward shooting aided by a faultless display from Mbaeva stood between the Sowetans and victory. (Final score: African Stars 2-1 Hotspurs).
The Reds will now join both former champions Civics and Ramblers as well as once finalists SKW when the teams go into the hat for the draw of the semi-finals.
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