Carlos Kambaekwa
30 July 2008
Windhoek — The much-hyped Namibian Football Association (NFA) annual awards were turned into a circus when the bungling organisers went against their own set criteria with a number of questionable nominations that defied logic.
As widely expected, Civics and Brave Warriors' utility defender Jamunovandu Ngatjizeko was deservedly chosen the Best Performer of the Season, following his sterling showing for both club and country.
Recalled Orlando Pirates coach Brian Isaacs, who also doubles as assistant for the Brave Warriors, walked away with the prestigious Coach of the Season Award while his championship-winning team was controversially left out of contention for the Team of the Year Award that was bestowed upon NFA MTC Cup winners Civics.
The Civilians were circled next to FNB Christmas Cup winners and MTC Namibia Premier League bronze medalists Oshikandela Ramblers and Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) among the nominees in this particular category.
Ramblers and Brave Warriors injury-prone marksman Pineas Jacob walked away with the Golden Boot Award after shaking off some tough challenge from his former Tigers teammate Tangeni Shipahu and current striking partner John Samson. The quicksilver goal poacher netted 12 goals during the 2007/8 season.
Among the rare contestants that did not raise eyebrows was the nomination of Paul Stramis, who collected the Manager of the Season Award, while African Stars' 19-year-old enterprising winger Edison "Masinga" Muheua, was rewarded for his excellent performance with the Young Player of the Year Award.
FIFA Accredited referee Mathew Katjimune, who has been at the centre of accusations in the ill-fated MTC Namibia Premier League first round match between Black Africa and African Stars took honours in the Best Referee of the Year Award. The award for the Best Regional League went to Erongo region.
Robbie Savage was for the umpteenth time the recipient of the Supporter of the Year Award - much to the annoyance of journalists and some club members who felt that this particular category is seriously becoming a worn out joke.
Brave Gladiators sharpshooter Stella Williams was rewarded for her 28 goals with the Golden Boot Award in the women's category, while Okahandja Beauties' Salomi Jambo became the proud recipient of the Prestigious Player of the Season Award.
In other awards, Hartman Toromba was chosen as the Best Foreign Player of the Season while former Orlando Pirates hard galloping striker and Kaizer Chiefs protégé Ismael "Lemmy" Narib's overall contribution to football was reciprocated with the President's Contribution Award.
Well-known television commentator Jakes Amaning was among the medal collectors when the Ghanaian-born football administrator was rewarded with the award for the Best Administrator of the Season for his initiative in getting the popular Khomas Under-17 league off the ground.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport & Culture, Reverend Willem Konjore, applauded the Brave Warriors and newly appointed coach Tom Saintfiet for their good showing in the just-ended COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup in South Africa, but the articulate line minister pulled no punches and warned football to curb unbecoming behaviour among the players.
"The recent reports in the local and international media concerning the ungentlemanly conduct of some of our players during the COSAFA Cup are nauseating and I would like to urge you, the leaders, to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action," charged the clearly irritated minister.
Konjore further warned that failure by football authorities to heed the call would result in the ministry's interference to get to the root of the problem.
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