The far northern regions, also known as the “beyond the red line regions,” have dominated the 2025 Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, with Kunene winning the football showpiece while Kavango East won the netball showpiece.
The annual tournament which took place this year at Outjo in the southern part of Kunene during the Easter weekend brought all 14 regions together to battle out for top honours.
Although some years ago southern regions such as Omaheke, Khomas and Otjozondjupa used to dominate the competition, these years things are changing.
Last year the soccer cup of this competition was won by Omusati, although Khomas won the netball cup for a third consecutive year. In 2023 the soccer cup went to Kavango West, while in 2022 the soccer cup was won by Zambezi region.
This year the final of soccer was between Kunene and Kavango West, with Kunene emerging as the winner to claim the first prize, but Oshana came third after beating Khomas.
Mr Simson Kalwenya, a soccer fan who followed the competition through social media platforms, said that the northern regions are now showing the hidden talent which is in the youngsters from rural areas.
“Back then this competition used to be dominated by regions such as Omaheke and Khomas, also Otjozondjupa, but now the youngsters from our villages here are starting to show that they also have the talent,” Kalwenya said.
“This is good, especially that now northern clubs such as Eeshoke Chula Chula, KK Palace, and also those ones from Rundu are also in the premier league. It is motivating the young boys. One day they will also play for these clubs.”
In the photo: It was not business as usual as northern regions, including Oshana which came in third place, dominated the competition.
