African Stars or Young African to take Maris Cup million
Football
The Gobabis side successfully introduced a number of new players.
Young African FC triumphed 3-1 over Unam FC in the semi-finals of the MTC Maris Cup, securing their place in the final where they will face African Stars FC for a winner-takes-all N$1.5 million prize.
Under the guidance of coach Maleagi Ngarizemo, Young African extended their unbeaten record in the competition, despite fielding several new players.
Notably, none of the players who started in their previous match in Oshakati, including sole goalscorer George Hummel (6), were in the starting eleven. The team has undergone significant changes, with many players from the Oshakati squad having departed.
They have since been reinforced with three new South African signings, including Moses Thabo Makhae (16), Aichel Calane (10) and Mathopa Mathopi (28).
Unam FC, coached by Robert Nauseb, started the game with early pressure. In the opening minute, Vihamisa Iyambo (21) attempted an acrobatic shot inside the six-yard box, but the ball sailed across the goal line without finding the net.
Despite Unam's early efforts, it was Young African who struck first. A challenge on Naftali Katjeringo (5) by Unam's Hikupembe Tyrese (17) led to a free-kick on the right wing.
Katjeringo stepped up and delivered a pinpoint cross into the six-yard box, where Unam’s Martin Onesmus (12) attempted to clear. However, Young African’s Himeezembi Kakuenje (27) pounced on the bouncing ball just outside the penalty box and rifled it into the top right corner in the 14th minute, breaking the deadlock.
Unam responded with several attacking attempts, including a long-range shot from Vevangapi Mbuende (6) in the eighth minute that went wide and a dangerous run by Rivaldo Laksman (54) in the 17th minute, whose cross into the penalty area was deflected out for a corner after Jagger Isadore (18) attempted a first-time finish.
Young African nearly doubled their lead in the 17th minute when Katjeringo (5) delivered a cross into the penalty box, connecting with Kavazere Mbura (11), whose acrobatic effort took a deflection off Unam’s Martin Onesmus (12) and narrowly missed the top right corner.
Moments later, another chance arose when a short corner saw Katjeringo (5) whip in a cross that Deacon Kakuenje (14) headed just over the top left corner. Aichel Calane (10) also came close in the 19th minute, but his long-range attempt sailed wide over the crossbar.
In the 25th minute, a pass from Laksman (54) intended for Jagger Isadore (18) was ruled offside. Five minutes later, Unam registered their first shot on target when Laksman (54) delivered a pass to team captain Paulus Amutenya (8), whose close-range effort was comfortably caught by Young African’s goalkeeper, Makhae (16), before Deacon Kakuenje (14) cleared the danger.
As the first half neared its end, Unam had another chance in the 42nd minute when Bonifasius Joseph (2) set up Mbuende (6), but his long-range attempt from midfield soared over the crossbar.
Young African also created a late opportunity in added time, with Eli Tjiundje (12) setting up Mbura (11), but his shot from just outside the penalty spot went straight to Unam’s goalkeeper, Owen Gariseb (30).
Second Half
After halftime, Unam made substitutions, introducing Punaje Vitae (13), Nestor Iyambo (10), and Roberto Rugan (15) in an effort to turn the game around. However, Young African was relentless, with Eli Tjiundje (12) firing a long-range shot that went wide in the opening seconds of the second half.
Unam’s best chance to equalize came in the 49th minute when Mbuende (6) received a pass from Tyrese (17) and unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area, narrowly missing the top right corner. In the process, he was tackled by Mbura (11), who received a yellow card for the challenge.
Young African extended their lead in the 55th minute. Katjeringo (5) whipped in a cross from the right wing, finding Aichel Calane (10), whose header bounced under the left arm of Gariseb (30) and into the net to make it 2-0.
Their third goal followed just two minutes later. Unam’s Mbuende (6) fouled Denzel Narib (9) in the 57th minute, leading to a free-kick. Lileen Karupanda (8) stepped up and delivered a cross into the six-yard box, where Narib (9) capitalised on the opportunity, slotting the ball beneath Gariseb (30) to put Young African 3-0 ahead.
Unam managed to pull one back in the 63rd minute. Vitae (13) made a run down the right wing, dribbling into the penalty box before setting up Rugan (15), who finished past goalkeeper Makhae (16) to make it 3-1.
Under the guidance of coach Maleagi Ngarizemo, Young African extended their unbeaten record in the competition, despite fielding several new players.
Notably, none of the players who started in their previous match in Oshakati, including sole goalscorer George Hummel (6), were in the starting eleven. The team has undergone significant changes, with many players from the Oshakati squad having departed.
They have since been reinforced with three new South African signings, including Moses Thabo Makhae (16), Aichel Calane (10) and Mathopa Mathopi (28).
Unam FC, coached by Robert Nauseb, started the game with early pressure. In the opening minute, Vihamisa Iyambo (21) attempted an acrobatic shot inside the six-yard box, but the ball sailed across the goal line without finding the net.
Despite Unam's early efforts, it was Young African who struck first. A challenge on Naftali Katjeringo (5) by Unam's Hikupembe Tyrese (17) led to a free-kick on the right wing.
Katjeringo stepped up and delivered a pinpoint cross into the six-yard box, where Unam’s Martin Onesmus (12) attempted to clear. However, Young African’s Himeezembi Kakuenje (27) pounced on the bouncing ball just outside the penalty box and rifled it into the top right corner in the 14th minute, breaking the deadlock.
Unam responded with several attacking attempts, including a long-range shot from Vevangapi Mbuende (6) in the eighth minute that went wide and a dangerous run by Rivaldo Laksman (54) in the 17th minute, whose cross into the penalty area was deflected out for a corner after Jagger Isadore (18) attempted a first-time finish.
Young African nearly doubled their lead in the 17th minute when Katjeringo (5) delivered a cross into the penalty box, connecting with Kavazere Mbura (11), whose acrobatic effort took a deflection off Unam’s Martin Onesmus (12) and narrowly missed the top right corner.
Moments later, another chance arose when a short corner saw Katjeringo (5) whip in a cross that Deacon Kakuenje (14) headed just over the top left corner. Aichel Calane (10) also came close in the 19th minute, but his long-range attempt sailed wide over the crossbar.
In the 25th minute, a pass from Laksman (54) intended for Jagger Isadore (18) was ruled offside. Five minutes later, Unam registered their first shot on target when Laksman (54) delivered a pass to team captain Paulus Amutenya (8), whose close-range effort was comfortably caught by Young African’s goalkeeper, Makhae (16), before Deacon Kakuenje (14) cleared the danger.
As the first half neared its end, Unam had another chance in the 42nd minute when Bonifasius Joseph (2) set up Mbuende (6), but his long-range attempt from midfield soared over the crossbar.
Young African also created a late opportunity in added time, with Eli Tjiundje (12) setting up Mbura (11), but his shot from just outside the penalty spot went straight to Unam’s goalkeeper, Owen Gariseb (30).
Second Half
After halftime, Unam made substitutions, introducing Punaje Vitae (13), Nestor Iyambo (10), and Roberto Rugan (15) in an effort to turn the game around. However, Young African was relentless, with Eli Tjiundje (12) firing a long-range shot that went wide in the opening seconds of the second half.
Unam’s best chance to equalize came in the 49th minute when Mbuende (6) received a pass from Tyrese (17) and unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area, narrowly missing the top right corner. In the process, he was tackled by Mbura (11), who received a yellow card for the challenge.
Young African extended their lead in the 55th minute. Katjeringo (5) whipped in a cross from the right wing, finding Aichel Calane (10), whose header bounced under the left arm of Gariseb (30) and into the net to make it 2-0.
Their third goal followed just two minutes later. Unam’s Mbuende (6) fouled Denzel Narib (9) in the 57th minute, leading to a free-kick. Lileen Karupanda (8) stepped up and delivered a cross into the six-yard box, where Narib (9) capitalised on the opportunity, slotting the ball beneath Gariseb (30) to put Young African 3-0 ahead.
Unam managed to pull one back in the 63rd minute. Vitae (13) made a run down the right wing, dribbling into the penalty box before setting up Rugan (15), who finished past goalkeeper Makhae (16) to make it 3-1.
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