Upsets and surprises in NFA Cup round of 16
Football
Both the men's and women's competitions are left with just eight teams remaining.
The PstBet NFA Cup round of 16 games that were held at Oshakati Independence Stadium over the weekend delivered a number of surprises – especially when Katima Mulilo based second-division outfit Oryza Sativa booked their spot in the quarter-final by beating Life Fighters 1-0.A last minute header by Oryza Sativa’s Hendrick Nyambe was enough to secure a win for his team.
Two other major surprises were the elimination of Unam FC and Julinho Sporting, as both teams went into the round of 16 matches after having scored a lot of goals in the previous round.
Unam humbled LK United by 13 goals to nil in their round of 32 encounter. However on Sunday, the pride of the north, Eeshoke Chula Chula ended the clever boys’ journey in the tournament.
Eeshoke Chula Chula’s captain, Moses Grava Shidolo, unleashed a lightning bolt strike from a 30 yards free kick – a single strike that was enough to send his team through to the quarter-finals.
As for Julinho Sporting, they won their round of 32 encounter against Rehoboth’s Friends FC by 8 goals to 1. But on Saturday, Okahandja United ended the team from Rundu’s journey when Goncalves Chissele’s hat-trick of goals more than cancelled out Julinho’s opener after 3 minutes when Mapenzi Muwanei found the back of the net.
Mighty Gunners advanced to the quarter-final after defeating Further Fighters by four goals to nil at the Oshakati Independence Stadium
At Swakopmund
Round of 16 action was also taking place at the Vineta Stadium in Swakopmund where Young African crashed out of the tournament following a 0-2 defeat to Young Brazilians on Saturday.
Khomas Nampol defeated FC Ongos by 3 goals to 2 as two of the leading clubs in the Debmarine premiership season collided.
On Sunday, the game between Civics and Tigers could not deliver a result in the 90 minutes of play and had to be decided from the spot kick, where Mervin Mbakera’s Tigers dramatically won by converting 7 penalties against defending NFA Cup title holder Civics who managed to score 6.
The Debmarine Namibia Premiership champions of the last two seasons, African Stars, also advanced to the last eight in the knockout competition by convincingly defeating an arch-rival, Orlando Pirates, by 4 goals to nil.
Uetuuru Kambato, Willy (Awillo) Stephanus, Mbakondja Tjahikika and Obrey Amseb netted the goals.
Orlando Pirates coach James Britz lamented the “silly goals” conceded after a much more solid first half. According to him some of the enforced changes due to injuries also upset the team’s rhythm.
Women’s NFA Cup
Four women’s games also took place at the weekend, where Beauties on Saturday won against V-Power Angels at Oshakati Independence Stadium. The game ended goalless and was decided from the penalty spot.
At the Vineta Stadium on Saturday, Khomas Nampol thrashed Girls and Goals by 4 goals to nil.
On Sunday, Unam Bokkies defeated Ongwediva Queens 1-0, while Ongos won by 5 goals to 2 against Namib Daughters.
Beauties, Khomas Nampol, Unam Bokkies and Ongos join NUST Babes, Okahandja, Ramblers and Arrows Ladies in the PstBet NFA Cup women’s quarter-finals.
The draw for the PstBet NFA Cup took place at the NFA Soccer House yesterday.
Men:
African Stars vs Tigers
Eeshoke Chula Chula vs Mighty Gunners
Young Brazilians vs Oryza Sativa
Khomas Nampol vs Okahandja United
Women:
Beauties FC vs UNAM Bokkies
Khomas Nampol Ladies vs Arrows Ladies
FC Ongos Ladies vs Ramblers Women
Okahandja FC vs NUST Babes