Honourary tournament for Kazapua
The football and netball competitions aimed at honouring Brave Warriors goalkeeper Loydt Kazapua commenced at the NFA Technical Centre in Katutura yesterday.
Tournament organiser Ngatuuane Hange said the competition is aimed at paying homage to Namibia’s foreign-based players while they are alive and at the same time keeping the local players fit during the offseason. The tournament is taking place under the auspices of the Namibia Rural Sports Development Federation and further aims to give exposure to young players from village teams to be scouted for first and second divisions, and even to the top-tier league.
“We have 32 football and 22 netball teams comprising mainly rural teams, and this is the right time for scouts to select their preferred players,” Hange told New Era Sport on Wednesday. Netball matches start tomorrow at 10h00 at the Khomasdal stadium.
In the netball category, Omutumbokajo will face Erindi United in the first game, followed by an encounter between Okauua Rovers against Orunarongue.
Okombomi will engage Shiponokela, while Okambari Ka Utjo will face Omarindi ua Mukandi. Bokoharam will battle against M.P.S.H, followed by Tallismanus Celtic against City Legends. Otjijere will face their counterparts Okauua Rising Stars, and this game will be followed by Super Stars locking horns with the Truck Team.
The Elmaestro netball team will play against River Side, whereas African Angels will challenge Tom and Jerry.
The Fine Young Stars vs Ketu-Ketu game will conclude the first round of netball matches.
Today’s football games will commence at 17h00 at the Khomasdal stadium with Renamo Bucks jakOmbomi facing Ozondara. This will lead to the second match of the evening between Tuk-Tuk football club against Okovakueuva.
The Super Stars and River Side match will conclude Friday’s proceedings. On Saturday morning, at the same stadium, Okambari ka Utjo will face Ketu-Ketu, while boys from Erindi United will be up against their counterparts from Omutumbokajo.
Amongst other matches, Omarindi ua Mukandi will play Fine Young Stars, while Truck Team will battle against African United. Tallismanus Celtic will conclude the first round of the competition against Bana Bana. Hange said an amount of N$40 000 is up for grabs. The football teams will vie for N$30 000, while netball teams will compete for N$10 000 plus trophies and medals for winning teams in both categories.
Kazapua is currently the Namibia national football team’s (Brave Warriors) first-choice goalkeeper who plays his professional football for Chippa United in the South African Premier Soccer League. According to Hange, the next tournament slated for later this year will be honouring Peter Shalulile, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa.
“This is a new project that will contribute to football development in our country and honouring our professional players while they are alive as most played rural football,” he emphasised.
The competition is expected to end on Sunday.