28 April 2008
Windhoek — Cymot SKW and African Stars progressed to the semi-finals of the MTC NFA Cup on Saturday after beating Black Africa on penalties and Hotspurs 2-1 in Mariental respectively.
Black Africa seemed to be heading for victory after an early goal by Jerome Louis, but SKW midfielder Sledge Gowaseb pulled back a late equaliser to force the match into penalties.
Here, Black Africa winger, Duncan Subeb, who last year still played for SKW, hit the post, to hand Cymot SKW a 5-4 victory.
African Stars took a 2-0 lead against Hotspurs and seemed to be cruising to victory.
But the Khomas First Division side staged a great fight back and only some great saves by Stars' keeper Max Mbaeva denied them an equaliser.
LOUIS PUTS BA AHEAD Black Africa started on the attack against SKW and took an 18th minute lead through a great goal by Louis.
Ronnie Hochobeb provided a perfect cross from the right and Donovan Swartz's shot bounced off the upright.
Louis pounced onto the loose ball to stab it into the net.
SKW keeper Heribert Kapeng did well to save another shot by Louis, while Imms Gaeb shot narrowly wide after a fine solo attack.
At the other end, Arend von Stryk and Jacky Stephanus both headed over from close range.
But chances were few and far between and the match seemed to be heading for a draw when Gowaseb struck with a fine goal on 77 minutes, slamming home a Tjono Jagger free kick.
In the penalty shootout, Subeb was the only player to miss his shot as SKW went through 5-4.
SKW's assistant coach Rolf Beiter was relieved after the match.
"It was not a very attractive match and we didn't play very well.
But we fought hard and I thought Ralph Ellinger, Sledge Gowaseb and Jacky Stephanus all played their hearts out," he said.
STARS HOLD OUT AGAINST HOTSPURS Stars went on the offensive from the start and only some desperate defending kept them out.
With Getzen Ndjiharine and Brouwers Litombo providing some great crosses, Ninja Karongee, Silver Suriyari and Andrew Tjahikika all came close to scoring.
Stars finally broke the deadlock on 36 minutes when a shot by Harold Kazerua hit the post and Silver Suriyari swooped to head the rebound into the net.
Ninja Karongee put Stars 2-0 ahead with a great solo effort, when he ran right through Hotspurs' defence shortly after the restart.
Hotspurs however staged a great comeback and dominated the final quarter of the match.
With Frans Sheenda and Julio Shilongo providing good passes, the chances started coming their way.
First a shot by Richard Kavendji was tipped over for a corner, before Sheenda finally headed in from a cross by Thomas Rooi on 71 minutes.
Hotspurs went all out in search of the equaliser, but Mbaeva pulled off some stunning saves from Kavendji, Lucky Kooper and Minardo Shapwa as Stars hung on for a 2-1 victory.
Hotspurs' caretaker coach Mec Naholo said their defeat came down to a poor first half.
"We lost because we had a terrible first half when we didn't play to our true capabilities.
We made some tactical changes at half-time but then conceded a goal early in the second half.
We then scored a goal and dominated the last 15 minutes, but unfortunately we could not get past Stars' keeper.
One can see why he is an Under 20 national player and if it wasn't for him we would have scored more goals."
"But for us the experience has been fantastic, so hopefully from here we can gain promotion to the Premier League.
We lost against a quality side but we can't fault our players - they really did their best," he said.
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