By Marx Itamalo|
The Ohangwena U-20 football regional team is well-prepared for this year’s edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup.
This is according to the team’s technical director Mr Oom Kamati.
The Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup will take place during the weekend of 3 – 6 April, in Keetmanshoop, the capital of the //Kharas region deep down in the South of the country. Fourteen football and netball regional teams will compete in the tournament.
“We are well-prepared for the tournament. The boys are ready. They are well prepared physically and mentally,” Kamati told Omutumwa this week.
Kamati stated that the coaches in collaboration with the team’s director and management worked together in assembling a very competitive team, made up of young and talented players from across the region.
“The players are from all over the region. We had put an emphasis on selecting players from all the teams that are active on our domestic and local leagues. They are talented players and we remain hopeful and resolute that we will win the cup and bring it to Ohangwena,” he stated.
Ohangwena is drawn in group B where it will lock horns with Oshikoto, Kavango West and hosts //Kharas.
All these teams have a reputation of being formidable opponents, with the Kavango West region being the runners up to last year’s edition after losing 2- 0 to hosts Kunene.
However, Kamati remains unfazed.
“We know that the group stage will not be a stroll in the park considering all the teams we are drawn with in our group. But we will do our best to ensure we outshine them and emerge on top of the group,” Kamati enthused.
“We have studied their playing styles and if we stick to our game plans, I know we will defeat all of them.”
The veteran Ohangwena football administrator staved off criticism that the selected team consisted only of players from two well-known teams in the region.
“That’s not the case. Our team is represented by players from about seven teams. We even have players from Okongo. When we conducted trials, we went across the region because we wanted equal representation.
“So, these accusations hold no water,” he elucidated whilst imploring the region to rally behind the team instead of criticising the coaches and management.
“It’s normal for people to criticise, but now is the time to support the team. I also urge those with means to go to Keetmanshoop to support the team. The boys need your support,” he stressed.
In the photo: Mr Oom Kamati
