Category: Sports

SAN PEDRO: Brave Warriors head coach Collin Benjamin has said the senior national football team will not depend on other teams to help them qualify for the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Benjamin said this during a media conference ahead of their game against Mali at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro.

The Brave Warriors coach stated that his team is focused and will give it their best.

‘As a team, we have control over our fate in this competition and we cannot wait for others to do us a favour,’ he said.

Benjamin added that the strengths of his team are unity, resilience, speed, hunger, and pride for their nation, therefore they will step onto the field and give everything with the hope of reaching the next round of the qualifiers.

Benjamin also expressed his admiration for the infrastructure and resources in Ivory Coast, which he considers to be some of the best in Africa.

‘It is a beautiful tournament and it is a great time to be alive as our continent is growing at the level where we hav
e sporting infrastructure as those in Europe,’ he said.

Meanwhile, team captain Peter Shalulile said he is happy and blessed to be part of an awesome team at the competition. He hopes that his goal drought at the competition will come to an end soon but emphasised that for now, it is not about him, but about the team.

‘As a player there are times when you struggle to score, but at the moment, it’s not about me. We are a team and we have other talented players who can make our country proud,’ he said, adding that their current focus is on tomorrow’s game against Mali.

Shalulile expressed his pride in captaining the team as they are focused despite coming from a country that did not have a league for a while. He praised the players for being mentally strong and determined to fight.

Namibia is currently third in their group, tied on three points with second-placed South Africa, while Mali leads the group with four points. Tunisia is at the bottom with a single point. Namibia’s last group game will be against
Mali at 19h00 in San Pedro on Wednesday.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) announced on Tuesday that its brand, Tafel Lager has launched a series of consumer promotions for the Brave Warriors, starting with activations in Katutura and northern Namibia.

A statement issued by NBL Corporate Affairs Manager, Surihe Gaomas-Guchu said fans can engage in the spirit of the game with the chance to win instant prizes.

Gaomas-Guchu also called on Namibians to rally behind the Tafel Lager Brave Warriors as they make history in the ongoing Afcon 2023/2024 tournament. Brave Warriors recently secured a historic victory against 2004 Afcon champions Tunisia in the group stages, marking Namibia’s first win at the tournament.

‘As a proudly Namibian brand, we are extremely excited to stand behind the Tafel Lager Brave Warriors on their journey at Afcon 2023/2024. This team embodies the heart and soul of our nation. It is incredible to watch them compete on the continental stage and inspire fellow Namibians with their warrior spirit,’ said Gaomas-Guchu.

Foll
owing the brand’s initial event this past weekend, Tafel Lager will continue activations at over 20 outlets nationwide featuring prizes, games, and Tafel Lager Brave Warriors promotional items.

Recently, NBL employees also celebrated the team by showcasing their best supporter gear for the Tafel Lager Brave Warriors.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

KORHOGO: Namibia’s Ambassador to the Ivory Coast, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, has called on the corporate sector in Namibia to collaborate with the government to develop sports infrastructure in the country.

Ashipala-Musavyi was speaking to Nampa during the ‘Invest in Korhogo’ business forum organised by the Centre for the Promotion of Investments in Côte d’Ivoire (CEPICI) and the Ivory Coast embassy in South Africa, which coincided with the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

The ambassador said being at the tournament has shown her how the government and corporate sector can collaborate to develop sports in Namibia.

‘Namibia has nothing to learn, Namibia just has to do. We need to improve our sports infrastructure, and this is not only the job of the government, but corporates as well,’ she said.

The ambassador added that the first-class stadium in Korhogo, where she watched the Brave Warriors play, has demonstrated the need for Namibia to invest in sports infrastructure at all levels because such investment wil
l change Namibia.

‘If we invest in sport at all levels, Namibia will change. With the Brave Warriors competing at Afcon, everyone is talking about sports. We need to invest in infrastructure and sports at a very early age and sports will change in our country,’ Ashipala-Musavyi said.

The ambassador further stated that the national team surprised her by winning their opening match against Tunisia.

‘Sport has a unifying power that can surpass even diplomacy. Namibia’s recent victory against Tunisia has put the country on the world map and has made it easier for us diplomats to explain where it is located. This win has increased Namibia’s visibility and helped to create a positive image for the country,’ she said.

Musavyi also called on the players to not be complacent by taking it one game at a time, and to realise their dream of progressing throughout the competition.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OPUWO: The Otjiungukua netball and football teams maintained their dominance in Omongua Sports Events after winning the Nanaki Kandjii Cup on Monday at Okomukaru.

The tournament, which ran from Saturday to Monday, was held in memory of the late Nanaki Kandjii, who was the president of the Omongua Netball and Football Association.

According to the tournament’s organiser, Metarere Kazeurua, the late Kandjii played a significant role in the association’s activities, and they honour him for his devotion and support.

On Tuesday, Kazeurua told Nampa that the competition went well and that the top eight teams in the football categories were all honoured.

In the netball category, the Otjiungukua netball team defeated Ombero by 16 goals to 10 in the semi-final before defeating Four Stars netball team from Omitivine by 24 goals to 21 in the final game of the tournament to win the maiden edition of the annual tournament.

Four Stars defeated Kajalami 36-18 on their way to the final.

As victors, the Otjiungukua netb
all team received N.dollars 5 000 and a trophy, while the runner-up, Four Stars, received N.dollars 2 500. As losing semifinalists, the Ombero and Kajalami netball teams each received N.dollars 1 250.

The football category witnessed some mouthwatering performances with more than 40 teams vying for the top spot.

However, it was Otjiungukua Football Club that came out victorious after beating Gauteng FC by a 1-0 scoreline.

As champions, Otjiungukua FC walked away with N.dollars 11 000 and a trophy, Gauteng FC as runner-up pocketed N.dollars 6 500, while Otjituve FC and Otjeue City FC both received N.dollars 3 500 as losing semi-finalists.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OSHAKATI – Hope Football Club has emerged as the leader of the Oshana Regional Namibia Football Association (NFA) Women’s Football League, maintaining an unbeaten streak after its latest weekend victories. The league’s Public Relations Officer, Felisberto Pedarè Da Silva, informed Nampa on Tuesday that the league is now down to six clubs following the withdrawal of Onelago Beauties FC and Victoria Andimba FC due to financial issues. Da Silva called for increased corporate and individual support to enhance the league’s competitiveness and support aspiring young female footballers.
According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), The league, which commenced on November 4, 2023, has been showcasing impressive performances at Oshakati Independence Stadium and the Valombola Vocational Training College Sports Ground in Ongwediva. Hope FC secured the top spot after defeating Oshakati Super Stars FC and Teenage Queens FC. Meanwhile, Mighty Angels FC scored the most goals over the weekend, securing victories against Teenage Angels FC and Oshana NamPol FC. Bakpro Millennial Queens FC also performed well, earning four points after a win against Oshana NamPol and a draw with Oshakati Super Stars FC. Currently, Hope FC leads the league with nine points, followed closely by Mighty Angels FC with seven points. Bakpro Oshana Millennial Queens are in fourth place with the same number of points but having played an additional game. Oshana NamPol and Teenage Queens are at the bottom of the table, each with one point. The league champions will advance to the playoffs, vying for a spot in the national NFA Women
‘s Super League.

Joy Abiye of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has emerged winner of the 2023 Lagos Women Run for the second time.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abiye, a native of Okitipupa, Ondo State, had the better of other runners from Plateau to emerge winner.

Abiye returned a time of 33:41:4 to win the 10km Lagos Women Run 2021, and received the cash prize of N1 million.

The 8th edition, which has over 50,000 women from all over the world registering for the event, was flagged-off at 7.00 a.m. at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and finished at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, running the loop of Lagos Island and part of Victoria Island to end at the stadium.

Participants at Lagos Women Run 2023

Coming second is the veteran long distance runner, Deborah Pam, from Plateau, also the winner of the local marathoners at the 2023 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Her compatriots from Plateau, Patience Dalyop, came third, while Elizabeth Nuhu came fourth; and another veteran, Vera Yohanna, came fifth.

On winning the race the second time, Abiye said she was excited about the win.

“I am very excited winning again because I trained well for this and prepare myself mentally.

“I was unable to win last year and I subsequently came fourth because I had injury. But this year I gave myself to it and thank God I won,” she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria