Pirates win MTC Khomas U17 Cup - Submitted by Namibia Sports Magazine-online, 10/21/2008
Orlando Pirates won the MTC Khomas U17 trophy after beating Ongete United 3-1 on penalties on Sunday.
Ongete seemed to be cruising to victory with a 1-0 lead for most of the match, but Pirates equalised in injury time to send the match into penalties. In the shootout Ongete’s nerves cracked as three of their players missed penalty shots and Pirates went on to win the shootout 3-1 to lift the trophy.
The victory capped a brilliant season for Pirates, after their senior team also won the Namibia Premier League title for the first time in their history.
Great goalkeeping by Akwaake
Ongete took an early lead when striker Kingsley Ndjabela stabbed a loose ball into the net on 10 minutes. Pirates pushed hard for the equaliser and had several scoring chances but couldn’t find a way past Ongete’s keeper Edward Akwaake, who brought off some great saves. With time running out, Ongete seemed to be heading for victory, but as the match went into extra time, Pirates’ national U17 striker Samuel Urikhob beat Ongete’s offside trap to pounce onto a through ball and stab the ball into the net. Ongete’s players were devastated and although they managed to hold out during the 30 minutes extra time period the momentum was now with Pirates.
Ongete crack in shoot out
Ongete’s nerves finally cracked in the shootout as Joseph Nairenge shot wide of goals, while Kingsley Ndjabela’s shot went straight to the keeper and was comfortably saved. Although Pirates’ keeper Karl Marenga also shot wide with his effort, he turned from villain to hero when he saved Charles Quill’s shot, for Pirates to win the shootout 3-1.
Pirates’ players went wild with delight while Ongete’s players looked on stunned into silence. Pirates’ players and fans were in jubilant mood as national coach Tom Saintfiet and technical director Klaus Stark handed over the winning trophy to Pirates’ captain Nick Nowaseb. Pirates received a winning cheque of N$7 500, while Ongete received the runners-up cheque of N$5 000. The two losing semifinalists, Okahandja Park and Ramblers each received N$2 500.
The various prizewinners were as follows:
Best midfielder: Collin Michael (Pirates)
Best defender: Marlyboy Iipinge (Pirates)
Top goalscorer: Stanley Gaingob (Ramblers)
Player of the Final: Edward Akwaake (Ongete United)
Best referee: Gottlieb Matthews
Best coach: Christi Guruseb (Pirates)
Best manager: Best Karamata (African Stars)
Best journalists: Corry Ihuhua (The Namibian) and Carlos Kambaekwa (New Era)
Most Disciplined team: Namibia Youth Football Development Programme
Players’ Player of the Tournament: Samuel Urikhob (Orlando Pirates)
Player of the Season: Kingsley Ndjebele (Ongete United)