Category: Sports

WINDHOEK: Mountain bike riders Alex Miller and Monique du Plessis were on Saturday crowned national champions at the Nedbank Namibia Cross Country (XCO) championship held at the IJG Trails in Kleine Kuppe.

The Namibian Cycling Federation (NCF) organised the event and crowned its national champions from the junior to the senior level in the XCO categories.

Miller and Du Plessis were on the day in a class of their own dominating their respective categories.

Miller who continues to show exceptional form finished the seven-round laps of the almost five-kilometre circuit in one hour, 30 minutes and 59 seconds (01:30:59) despite stopping for almost a minute to fix his punctured tyre in the fourth lap.

He was three minutes and 44 seconds ahead of Kevin Lowe who started a minute later in the Under-23 category. Lowe was crowned the U-23 men’s champion after completing the seven laps in a time of 01:33:15 and behind Miller.

Tristan de Lange who represented Namibia at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in the road race event
also made an appearance after being away from the track for almost a year. He finished second in the elite men’s category, nine minutes behind Miller in a time of 01:39:12.

Danzel de Koe finished third in the elite men category and was almost a lap behind in a time of 01:42:19. Apart from De Lange and De Koe all the other elite riders were lapped or retired from the race.

Meanwhile in the elite women’s category Du Plessis dominated her field finishing the five laps in a time of 01:22:19. She was 10 minutes ahead of second-placed Jean-Marie Mostert who completed her race in a time of 01:32:48. The last podium position was supposed to go to Mimi Hough, but she was lapped by Du Plessis, therefore couldn’t finish the race when the leader crossed the line.

Meanwhile, the U-23 men’s category podium spots went to Lowe who was followed by Hugo Hahn and Theuns van der Westhuizen in second and third respectively. The women’s category only had one rider competing in the event. Ashanti Auchas completed her three laps
in a time of 01:24:58.

In an interview with the media after the race, Miller said he had a good time on the track and is looking forward to the African Championships in Morocco and his European Tour.

‘This was a good race, I decided to put my foot down from the start because I believed in my form. I am now looking forward to representing my country at the African championships in Morocco,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Du Plessis said the windy conditions on the day made the race tough, but she enjoyed the competition and now refocuses her attention on her trip to Europe where she will be competing in the International Cycling Union (UCI) African Junior Team for about six months.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Limbe based elite one outfit, Victoria United arrived the premises of the governor’s office with a crowd of supporters.

The team which two 2 years ago were promoted into the elite one was described as the pride of the sea side city of Limbe and the rest of the South West by various speakers who took turns to speak.

The president of Victoria United, Nkwain Valentine who took over the club in 2019 had promised that the team will play the CAF championship.

With a dream come through, he lauded the support of the South West Governor and other stakeholders who believed and stood by the team.

The Victoria United president said it wasn’t an easy journey to the top. However, they are determined not only to win but to use football and disarm separatist fighters in the bushes.

‘I’m very sure we are going to go far in the African Championship. I’m sure we can bring the cup to South West,’ he affirmed.

Ndazeh Valerie Nchiakeh, president of the South West bearuea of the Federation of Cameroon Football (FECAFOOT)
said a lot had changed for South West football in just few years. He explained that prior to the emergence of their leadership, the region was barely heard in football despite the infrastructure it boost off.

Mr. Ndazeh then informed the governor that the victory is clear indication that the sporting endowment in the region are being effectively used and the trophy is going to inspire most youths in the region.

With joy, the South West Governor received the trophy which stands as first of it’s kind in the administrative unit.

He noted that the win was a show that hardwork pays off and ‘the South West region is standing tall. The South West region is doing well.’

Highlighting the significance of the win, the senior administrator said it was testament of the living together in the South West. ‘We are the South West region, the historical laboratory of living together,’ he remarked.

Through the elected representatives present, the South West boss called on the population of the region to mobilize and provid
e the necessary support to the team.

He concluded by calling on the team to remian vigilant and ensure healthy collaboration at all levels. Upgrade their performances and remain discipline to attain more victories.

The South West Governor handed a cash envelope to the team. Senator Mbella Moki, in same manner gifted the team 1 million francs. Victoria United will be competing in the CAF championship.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The President of the Cameroon Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, has participated in a gala match in Lyon France, aimed at raising funds to improve the daily lives of children and teenagers in hospital.

The game played at the Bernard Giroux stadium, featured two teams; Variétés Club de France in which French President, Emmanuel Macron played alongside media personalities and former football players, and the team of caregivers whom Eto’o played with.

The initiative led by the Pieces Jaunes foundation, was watched by several high-profile personalities including the French first lady Brigitte Macron, who is the president of the charity organization.

Other world personalities present included the coach of the France national team, Didier Deschamps, world renowned coach Arsene Wenger, Didier Drogba, and Eden Hazard among others.

The 2024 event marked 35 years since the initiative was founded.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Robber Chanties versus Khaibasen PST Bet preliminary round match will be completed behind closed doors on Wednesday, Kunene Football League officials have confirmed.

League administrator, Bola Nangombe, stated in a statement on Wednesday that the game will determine the region’s champion, to face African Stars in the round 32 of the PST Bet Namibia Football Association (NFA) cup.

Two weeks earlier, Robber Chanties were leading 1-0 at the Etoshapoort stadium in Outjo on a Sunday evening when the game was abandoned in the 68th minute after fans of dissatisfied Khaibasen came onto the pitch in retaliation for the referees’ alleged refereeing errors, bringing the game to an end.

Some of the players were reportedly involved in a fist fight, resulting in the league ‘s administration abandoning the game.

According to Nangombe, the match will now be conducted under severe security conditions, with no fans allowed at the stadium.

‘No fans will be allowed in the stadium. That means the match will be played under t
his strict regulation and supporters are only allowed to be in the radius of 500 meters outside the stadium due to security reasons,’ noted Nangombe.

He also urged the management of both teams to maintain discipline and follow security guidelines in order to prevent embarrassment and bring the names of PST Bet, NFA, and KFL into disrepute.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Faris Moumbagna’s acrobatic finish in Marseille’s 2-2 draw against Toulouse on Sunday, has been the major highlight in French football in the past days.

The Cameroonian forward, who had a gloomy start with Olympique of Marseille when he arrived from Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt in January, is now unleashing the fierceness in him.

‘It is true that when I arrived, I was heavily criticized and I still face it till today. I know what I have to do and I’m at the disposal of the coach anytime he needs me’ Moumbagna said.

His equalizer on Sunday, came after his goal against Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday, which helped his team qualify for the semi-finals of the competition.

Coach Jean Louis Gasset said the Cameroonian’s success will help boost his confidence. ‘It is good for his progress. He has much potential. But he still has to work on the technical part’ the OM coach said.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

OPUWO: Omaheke United and Opuwo-based Extreme Tutorials netball club clinched the football and netball categories of the second edition of the Opuwo Mayoral Cup on Sunday.

The tournament featured 24 football and seven netball teams, with four in the tag-of-war category and six in the Legends football division.

Speaking after the final game on Sunday, Kunene regional governor Maruis Sheya commended the tournament organisers for putting on an exceptional showpiece that went off without a hitch. Such events, he noted are important as they keep the youth together and from engaging in illegal activities while growing grassroots sports.

‘The efforts of the mayor are seen, including the impact on sports is felt on the ground, therefore let’s grow this collectively,’ he noted.

The spectators were treated to an exciting final in the netball category, with two teams from the same unit competing in the final game, where Extreme Tutorials reigned supreme after edging their counterparts Opuwo Extreme Dreamers and walk
ing away with N.dollars 10,000. The runner-up pocketed N.dollars N.dollars 5 000, Opuwo Rebels and NamWater received N.dollars 2 500 each for their efforts as semi-final losers.

The host, Opuwo Town Council (OTC) B-team, won the tag-of-war category, defeating NamWater’s B-team and went away with N.dollars 2 500, while Namwater-B received N.dollars 1000.

The semi-finalists, NamWater A and OTC A, both settled for N.dollars 800.

Ruacana Legends won the legends football category by defeating Onjose Jongua 1-0 in the final, collecting N.dollars 5000; Onjose Jongua Legends got N.dollars 2500; while Opuwo Legends and OTC equally shared N.dollars 2500 as semi-final losers.

The football category witnessed some delightful encounters in the semi-final round, notably the game between Omaheke United and Kunene Namibian Police (NamPol), in which Omaheke won 4-0 on penalties after a goalless draw in normal time.

Opuwo United failed to capitalise on their home advantage, losing to Power Boys in a 4-3 penalty shootout af
ter a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

The final saw the boys from Omaheke dominate play and put the game away in the 70th minute with a magnificent free kick to win the trophy and N.dollars 30 000. Power Boys won N.dollars 15 000 as the runner-up, while Opuwo United and Kunene NamPol lost in the semi-finals to home N.dollars 5 000.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency