Day: March 4, 2024

WINDHOEK: Katutura-based FC Ongos claimed top spot in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership after securing maximum points against log leader Khomas NamPol and Karasburg-based Young Brazilian over the weekend.

Round 20 and 21 of the Debmarine Namibia Premiership resumed on Friday with action between FC Ongos, and then log leaders Khomas NamPol at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek.

Ongos, who had a game in hand, managed to outclass their resilient opponents with a 3-0 scoreline, which saw them moving from third place on the log standings to the top of the log.

On Sunday, the Katutura boys showcased an impressive performance by defeating Young Brazilian 3-0 at the UNAM Stadium in the capital. With this victory, Ongos secured the top spot on the Premiership log standings with 45 points from 20 matches played so far.

On the other hand, Khomas NamPol failed to collect any points in their fixtures for the first time this season, which caused them to drop to third place with 41 points.

African Stars maintained th
eir position on the log standings by collecting four points out of a possible six over the weekend. They are a point behind Ongos on 44 points.

The league’s defending champions, coached by their newly appointed coach, Ronny Kanalelo, dropped two points on Saturday with a goalless draw against Civics. However, they managed to bounce back on Sunday to secure maximum points with their 2-0 win against Tigers.

Meanwhile, in other games played over the weekend, Ohangwena-based Eeshoke Chula Chula demonstrated their dominance in the season by defeating Blue Waters with a scoreline of 2-0 in Walvis Bay. This victory helped them secure the fourth position on the log standings, alongside Okahandja United, who are fifth but level with 32 points.

Young African, with 30 points, is now in sixth place, followed by UNAM in seventh place with 29 points, along with Mighty Gunners, Blue Waters, and Tigers in eighth, ninth, and tenth positions, respectively.

Life Fighters, with only 12 points from 21 matches, are at the bott
om of the log standings. Orlando Pirates are in 15th place with 16 points, while Civics and Okakara Young Warriors are tied on 19 points each but occupying positions 13th and 14th, respectively.

Young Brazilian is currently placed 11th with 27 points, and Julinho Sporting, based in Rundu, is in 12th place with 20 points.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

SWAKOPMUND: Entries for this year’s Rössing Uranium Marathon have doubled from over 1 000 last year to over 2 000 entries, according to the company’s Manager of Corporate Communications, Daylight Ekandjo.

The marathon, which is scheduled for 09 March at the coastal town of Swakopmund, will start off at the tennis court with amateur and elite runners expected to compete in the 42-kilometre (km) marathon, the 21km Frank Slabbert half marathon, the 10km run, and 5km fun walk.

According to Ekandjo, this year’s edition is testament to the inevitable growth of the Rössing Marathon, which features elite and amateur runners from across the country.

‘Entries this year have doubled and this cements the dire need of sporting events in the country. The nation every year looks forward to this event and this year’s numbers only mean we should double our efforts to appetise running for health reasons and at the same time, create a platform for our elite runners to compete nationally to better represent the country intern
ationally,’ she said.

Eight-time Rössing Marathon elite runner and last year’s winner in the 42km female category, Alina Armas, said she is excited to participate in this year’s edition as well and is looking forward to seeing new competition, particularly from female runners.

‘I have already started with preparations for the Rössing Marathon and would like to call on all athletes to register and make their names on the weekend. Train hard so that you get the results you want,’ Armas urged.

All proceeds from the 5km fun walk will be channelled to the Cancer Association of Namibia to bolster their fight against cancer.

The marathon has also previously attracted international entries from around Africa.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

ROSH PINAH: The Kalahari and Garieb circuits were declared winners of the 2024 ||Kharas Governor’s Cup in the netball and soccer categories respectively on Sunday.

The tournament took place from the 01 to 03 March 2024 at the Rosh Pinah Scorpion Zinc sport park and saw four teams from the four circuits compete in the netball, rugby, and soccer sports codes.

The aim of the tournament is to create regional teams that would at all times be battle-ready for inter-regional, national, and international sporting events.

In the netball category, the Kalahari girls defeated the team from the Namib circuit 59-13 in the final game, while for soccer, Garieb defeated the Namib circuit 3-4 in the final game. The rugby final was between PK de Villiers Secondary School and Suiderlig High School, both from the Kalahari circuit, and the final score was 16-5 in favour of PK de Villiers.

Players of the tournament were as follows: Lumando Basson for soccer from Garieb, Ruaha Shekwaya for netball from Kalahari, and David Sakeu
s for rugby from Kalahari.

Each of the best players walked away with N.dollars 5 000 in cash, sponsored by Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine, while the mine pledged to support Shekwaya in her netball career going forward.

Speaking as she officiated the tourney on Saturday, ||Kharas Governor Aletha Frederick said sports is beyond the thrill of competition as it offers countless opportunities for the youth, adding that sports goes far beyond future opportunities of income as it serves as a shield, protecting the youth from the pitfalls of life’s social evils, providing a safe haven and a place where young people can find purpose, discipline, and belonging.

‘It is not just about scoring goals; it is about scoring opportunities for a brighter future, your participation in sports can open up a host of avenues for you, it can create for you employment in the future, opening doors for careers as athletes, coaches, administrators, and more,’ she stressed.

PstBet is the main sponsor of the Governor’s Cup, having pledged an amo
unt of N.dollars 70 000 each year for the next three years towards the event. Other sponsors are Novanam Group of Companies, Sea Flower Group of Companies, Vedanta, RoshSkor Township, Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine, ||Kharas Regional Council, Total Energies, Bank Windhoek, and First National Bank among others.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Katutura-based former Debmarine Namibia Premiership outfit Black Africa struggled in their opening matches of the Southern Stream First Division, following their relegation from the country’s elite league last season.

Since the start of the Southern Stream First Division (SSFD) in 2023, Black Africa Football Club were provisionally suspended by the SSFD Executive following their failure to fulfil their league obligations against Blue Boys and Eleven Arrows.

This squabble came about after two separate groups within Black Africa were vying for leadership, resulting in two different teams showing up for the matches.

Despite the two having an ongoing matter in the High Court of Namibia, the SSFD scheduled fixtures for the team that saw them travelling to Oranjemund and Keetmanshoop to play their opening fixtures of the season.

In their opening game of the season against Oranjemund FC, on Saturday the lively Lions lost 2-1. On Sunday they struggled once more to display the qualities of a 10-time Nami
bia Premier League winning team, ultimately losing 4-0 to Try Again in Keetmanshoop.

After two matches, Black Africa is at the bottom of the SSFD standings with zero points.

The Namibian Correctional Service team is currently at the top of the log standing, level on 19 points with Swakopmund-based Blue Boys from eight matches played thus far by the two teams.

Former Premier League outfit Eleven Arrows are third on the log standing of 12 teams with 15 points, with Mariental Sport Club closely behind in fourth place with 14 points. Dates Eleven takes the fifth position with 13 points from nine matches played so far.

Other teams also competing in the SSFD are Try Again who are currently in sixth place with 12 points. Latino FC and Davos are occupying the seventh and eighth positions respectively with 11 points each.

Oranjemund FC, on the other hand, moved up to the ninth position after securing their second win of the season against Black Africa. They have collected seven points from nine matches played so
far.

Meanwhile, other teams also juggling with the relegation carrot are DTS who are 11th on the log with four points, and Ramblers, who are 10th with six points.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OPUWO: The Zambezi Second Division Football League has seen varying numbers of matchups, with some clubs playing more games than others due to stadium unavailability since its commencement last month.

Oryza Sativa Football Club (FC) has emerged as the frontrunner, leading the league after four matches.

The league concluded with rounds three and four over the weekend, with log leaders Oryza Sativa FC picking up four points after a 1-1 draw against Namib Chiefs FC and a thumping 4-0 triumph over Rocano Chiefs on Sunday.

In other Saturday fixtures, Sahara defeated Black Buffaloes 3-0, while Space Age suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat against visiting Bush Bucks. The match between Green Eagles and King Fisher was abandoned due to stadium shortages, meaning King Fisher and Blue Chiefs have only played once.

On Sunday, Power Dynamos failed to secure any points after losing 2-0 to Sahara. Black Buffaloes and Shooting Stars played out a goalless draw, while Namib Chiefs, who started the season strongly, defeated Green
Eagles 1-0.

At present, Oryza Sativa leads the league with nine points from two victories and two draws. Namib Chiefs and Sahara closely trail with seven points each, occupying the second and third positions respectively. Bush Bucks hold fourth place with six points, followed by Rocano King Rangers with four and Black Buffaloes with three.

Shooting Stars sit in seventh place with two points, followed by Blue Chiefs, Green Eagles, Space Age, and Power Dynamos, all with one point each in positions eight through eleven. King Fisher currently ranks 12th in the standings with no points.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency