Goals rain at Harders Cup
Soccer
The fourth edition of the Harders Cup produced some strongly contested duels, stunning goals and loads of action over three days of competition.
Quiver FC is the new Harders Cup champion. The Keetmanshoop based team defeated Spiders FC from Noordoewer with 4-2 in an entertaining final in Lüderitz on Sunday. The champions pocketed N$200 000 and the silver medalist N$100 000. All teams also received a brand new playing kit. The Harders Cup will also give one deserving student a bursary every year. The event, which started as a football tournament for Lüderitz-based clubs, is now a regional competition. This year's event accommodated 20 teams from the Southern Stream and one First Division League team.
Quiver FC striker Andre Makayi provided the through pass for winger Johannes Myer’s first goal on behalf of Quiver. Myer made it 2-0 after the referee Sylvester Bock awarded a penalty. Makayi extended the lead 3-0 before halftime arrived.
Spiders however returned with a vengeance when play resumed. Midfielder Ambros Frederick scored their first goal (3-1) and Kapunda Kaveta added a second goal (3-2) for Spiders. Myer however had the final say. He scored his third and Quiver's fourth goal and in doing so, sealed the victory.
“The pace of the game was high. We knew that our opponent prefers to play long balls and rely on counter-attacks. We slipped up in the last five minutes, allowing them to score two goals. We are however happy for the win and earned it with hard work, the effort we put into training, the commitment of players and our desire to win. We wanted to showcase what we can do as a team. Our focus will be on winning the Second Division league and then we will take it from there,” commented the Quiver FC captain Mupia Stumbo after the win.
The goal poaching Myer, who scored six goals, was honoured as the top goal scorer of the tournament. Midfielder Keanu McMaster of Youngsters FC was named player of the tournament. Both received N$20 000 for their efforts.
Mountain Rangers FC defeated the defending champions Youngsters FC which had won the tournament in 2017 and 2019, with 5-4 in a penalty shootout. The bronze medal winners received N$50 000 and the fourth place finishers N$30 000.
Semi Finals
Quiver defeated Mountain Rangers with 2-0 to book their spot in the final. Rightwing Drikie Hoaseb and Johannes Myer scored.
Spiders defeated Youngsters via a penalty shootout with 4-5 after the teams finished level (1-1) at fulltime. Christie Haraseb scored for Youngsters and Elias Kasana scored the equaliser for Spiders. The Spider's goalie Katjijapa Tjikuara blocked a penalty and ensured that his team advanced to the final.
Quarter Finals
Mountain Rangers FC defeated Oranjemund FC, the only team from the ||Kharas First Division League that competed in the tournament, in a sudden death penalty shootout.
Quiver hammered Young Beauty with 5-0. Youngsters defeated Brazilians FC with 2-0 and Spiders scored a 4-2 victory over Lovely Stars FC.
The Namibian National Team (Brave Warriors) coach Colin Benjamin said that he tremendously enjoyed the tournament and commended Tim Ekandjo for the initiative. “It was a good tournament. Kudos to the sponsors and the organisers of this event which is the third biggest event in Namibia with a total prize pot of N$420 000 up for grabs. They brought the people and the community of the //Kharas region together and allowed the players to display their skills. This region has been known for producing talent and that's what the competitors brought to the stage. It was a good showcase of soccer from the region and the players with action, goals, penalties and vociferous supporters.”