Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Young Africans from Gobabis will face African Stars from Windhoek in the MTC Maris Cup final, with the match date yet to be announced.
Young Africans secured their place in the final by defeating the University of Namibia Football Club (Unam) 3-1 at the Mariental stadium on Saturday.
On the same day, African Stars beat Bucks Buccaneers 2-1 at the same venue to set up the final clash.
Young Africans captain Ngaitone Kaindjee praised his team’s performance, noting that Unam focused heavily on defence.
“Unam were a pressing team, sitting back and concentrating more on defending, but we managed to penetrate their defense and score three goals,” he said.
Kaindjee added that the team’s three weeks of preparation paid off, and they are now focused on the final.
Unam head coach Robert Nauseb expressed disappointment with the result, calling it a “terrible defeat.”
He criticised the goals conceded as avoidable.
“This is not the way my team plays. It is not the way we should have approached this game. But it is a cup game; if you don’t score your goals and give the other team a chance, they will score,” Nauseb said.
He acknowledged the loss as a setback for the team’s three-year plan but emphasised their focus on upcoming league games and their goal of winning silverware.
The winner of the final will take home the cup, medals, and a record-breaking N$1.5 million in prize money, the highest ever offered in a local football cup competition.
