Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Kunene Region was crowned champions of the 2025 Nedbank Newspaper Cup after defeating Kavango West 2-0 in the football final, marking a historic first win for the team.
The victory, achieved on home soil, was guided by head coach Tuerikondjera Kasaona, who made history as the first woman to coach a men’s team to a tournament win. Kasaona also serves as assistant coach of the Debmarine Premier League side Blue Waters.
“This win means a lot to the people of Kunene. It’s even more special that we did it at home in front of our supporters who have been behind us since day one,” said Kasaona, who credited the players and the region’s supporters for the achievement.
Former Kunene governor Marius Sheya applauded the team’s technical staff for their dedication. “It was not easy, but the coach and the team worked hard. Our plan was to win both football and netball, and while we fell short in netball, we are proud of this win,” Sheya said.
In the netball final, Kavango East beat Omaheke 40-20 to claim the championship. Patricia Haikera of Kavango East was named Player of the Match.
Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, praised both Kavango regions for their strong performances.
“This is a great day for the Kavango regions. These are under-resourced regions, yet they reached the finals in both football and netball. This is a testament to their hard work,” Ballotti said.
He also commended the tournament organisers and private sector sponsors for providing a platform for Namibian youth to showcase their talent.
