SKW fight back to win exciting U21 tournament
Football
After 176 competing players, 1 126 playing minutes, a reach of 90 963 and 24 371 engagements on social media, the Bank Windhoek Ramblers under-21 soccer tournament’s third edition crowned Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) as its champion team for 2024.SKW emerged as champions after a hard-fought final battle against Kasaona Football Academy (FA).
Kasaona FA took an early lead, stunning SKW supporters with George Gaweseb's goal that sent shockwaves through the stadium.
It looked like Kasaona FA might dominate the match, but SKW showed resilience to fight back. Cruz Uwu-khaeb capitalised on a defensive mistake by Kasaona FA, levelling the score and turning the tide in SKW's favour.
The intensity only rose as both teams created chances but struggled to convert them into goals. Ultimately, SKW's Mat “Haaland” Plaath emerged as the day's hero. With a clinical finish in the game's dying moments, Plaath capitalised on a mistake by the Kasaona FA goalkeeper and scored the late winner that sealed the championship for SKW.
Before the final
Ramblers and Kasaona Football Academy battled it out in a thrilling semi-final.
Ramblers struck first in the 15th minute with a well-taken goal that put them in the lead. However, their celebrations were short-lived, as Kasaona managed to equalise just seven minutes later, sending both teams into the break with the score tied at one-all. In the end, the final whistle blew at 1-1. Kasaona held their nerve and emerged victorious, winning 4-2 in the penalty shootout.
Kaizen FA secured a hard-fought bronze medal after defeating host team Ramblers in a dramatic 3-0 penalty shootout.
Bank Windhoek’s head of stakeholder engagement, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sponsorships, Bronwyn Moody, congratulated all the participants on their outstanding performances during the tournament. “All the teams showcased their talent, resilience and fighting spirit on the pitch. The future looks bright for Namibian football,” said Moody.
As the chairman of Ramblers Soccer Academy, Sedric van Turah thanked Bank Windhoek for its unwavering support in making the tournament successful. “We look forward to making the second edition of the Oshakati-based tournament even better,” he said.
Aimed at academy teams
The Bank Windhoek Ramblers U21 soccer tournament further exposes youth academy players who could not play in the Namibian soccer calendar's second division, first division or Debmarine Premier League.
To ensure that the prizes are invested back into the team, the top three winning teams received equipment instead of actual prize money.
Ramblers, Deutscher Turn und Sportverein (DTS), Athletic Club Football Academy (ACFA), Swallows, Kasaona, Kaizen Football Academy (KFA), Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) and River Heights were the eight Windhoek-based teams that took part. They thanked Bank Windhoek for supporting youth soccer players and said the tournament exceeded their expectations.
The Bank Windhoek Ramblers U21 tournament’s third edition which was hosted at Ramblers from Tuesday, 21 May until Saturday, 25 May
• The next edition will kick off on Friday, 21 June, and end on the Sunday, with all matches to take place at the Oshakati Stadium.