Selecao clinch back-to-back Winter Cups
Futsal
The champions beat X-Men in the final.
The Ongos Valley Futsal Winter Cup concluded in thrilling fashion at the Windhoek Showgrounds yesterday, culminating in Selecao FC’s triumphant defence of their title with a resounding 3-0 victory over X-Men FC in the final.The tournament, featuring 25 teams across three divisions, showcased the finest in local futsal talent over four action-packed days.
With 14 teams from the Premier League, eight from the First Division and three from the Second Division, the competition was fierce and drew enthusiastic crowds.
Selecao, with standout performances throughout the tournament, emerged as the team to beat early on. In the opening rounds, they displayed their offensive prowess with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Ballers FC, courtesy of a stunning four-goal haul from Vilho Lawrence.
They continued their dominance in the round of 16 with a commanding 6-1 win over Omeya and faced a tougher challenge against Patriots in the quarter-final, ultimately prevailing 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a hard-fought draw.
Advancing to the semi-final, Selecao secured their place in the championship match with a narrow 1-0 win over Quality FC, setting up a highly anticipated rematch with X-Men FC in the final.
The final itself was a showcase of Selecao’s tactical discipline and attacking flair. Goals from Leighton Wemmert, Nigel Prins, and an own goal secured a comprehensive 3-0 win, sealing their second consecutive Ongos Valley Futsal Winter Cup title in style.
X-Men, who displayed resilience throughout the tournament, settled for a commendable second-place finish.
Individual accolades were also bestowed upon standout performers. Vilho Lawrence of Selecao claimed the tournament’s top scorer title with his exceptional goal-scoring prowess, while Karere Tsauseb of X-Men was recognized as the top goalkeeper, following his outstanding saves under pressure. Nigel Prins, whose contributions were pivotal to Selecao’s success, was rightfully awarded the Player of the Tournament accolade.
In addition to the prestige of lifting the trophy, Selecao took home the winner’s prize of N$10 000, with X-Men earning N$5 000 for their efforts as runners-up. Quality FC secured third place and N$2 500 in prize money after a hard-fought win over Windhoek Futsal.
As the curtains close on another thrilling edition of the Ongos Valley Futsal Winter Cup, Selecao’s dominance and the tournament’s competitive spirit have set the stage for great anticipation of future editions.