Archive - Dec 2008 - Story

Youth World Cup

By Christiaan Knobloch

Sport fanatics visiting Swakopmund this holiday season can look forward to something special. Players from Germany, Brazil, Austria, Switzerland, Chile and Namibia will make the SFC sport grounds the centre of the fistball universe for a couple of days when they take each other on to determine the winners of the boys and girls Fistball Youth World Cup. The event is scheduled to start on January 1, 2009 with the finals taking place on January 4.

Black Africa and Eleven Arrows qualified for the final of the FNB Cup competition when they won their opening knockout matches over the weekend.
Arrows convincingly beat Oshakati City 3-1 with the Katupose twins scoring two of the goals.

Black Africa had a tough encounter against African Stars in their first match and eventually won 1-0 through a goal by Jerome Louis.
Louis was once again on target as Black Africa beat Tigers 1-0 in their next knockout match.

Some memorable quotes during December 2008.

I knew it would be difficult because he set up the regions where he had support, so I am happy to have got four of the votes. Now Ill just need to work harder – I need one more vote to win the election. – Frank Fredericks after tying Athletics Namibia’s presidential elections at four votes each with Alpha Kangueehi.

The constitution makes provision that the current president has a casting vote. – Alpha Kangueehi.

The council cannot make a decision because there was none before the elections. – Frank Fredericks.

Walvis Bay businessman Johnny Doeseb, or “JJ” as he is called by his friends, took over Eleven Arrows before the start of the new season and now has big plans to take it to the top, not only in Namibia, but also in Africa. The self-made millionaire, who is still only 33 years old, acquired more than 10 new players for the new season as well as a new coach by offering them decent salaries, with a wage bill alone running to about N$80 000 per month.

Here follows some memorable quotes during 2008.

I am so happy with my performance. I'm the first African and I have shown that I can do it, be in the front with the world’s best and there is definitely more to come. – Erik Hoffmann, after finishing 22nd in the cycling road race at the Beijing Olympics.

Black Africa striker Jerome Louis is the leading scorer in the MTC Namibia Premier League at the end of the sixth round. Louis added two goals in BA’s 6-2 victory against Tigers to take his tally up to six goals in six matches. That is a great strike rate of a goal per match, despite the fact that BA are struggling on the log. They are currently in seventh position, eight points behind log leaders Cymot SKW.

What a sporting year we have had! Although Namibia failed to make an impact at the biggest event of the year, the Beijing Olympic Games, our sportsmen and women still produced some outstanding performances against the world’s best.
In this section we take a brief look at the highlights of the year, starting off with Namibia Sport’s Top Ten performances of 2008.

Number 1 – Gerrie Snyman

Namibian cricketer Gerrie Snyman produced the best performance of the year when he single-handledly destroyed Kenya in Dubai, taking Namibia to a 105-run victory.

The end of the year is approaching and I have to leave as well to go on a short holiday. I will try and continue to update the website, until my return on January 6, 2009.
I have compiled a review of 2008 which documents the main achievements of Namibian sportsmen and women during 2008.
To all our readers - thanks for your support; have a blessed Christmas and a great 2009!
Editor

2008 IN REVIEW

JANUARY

Burger bowls Namibia to victory

Mohammed Ouseb made a triumphant debut for Orlando Pirates when he headed in their winning goal against Mighty Gunners on Saturday afternoon.
The match seemed to be heading for a draw when Pirates won a corner with 10 minutes to go and Ouseb rose high to head the ball into the net.

It was a just reward as Pirates dominated possession and could have won by a larger margin.
There were few chances in the first half with Klaas Blom heading in a cross from John Samson only to be ruled offside, while Ouseb went wide with a 30m shot.

Cymot SKW beat Oshakati City 1-0 in a hard fought match at the Oshakati Independence Stadium on Friday night to go three points clear at the top of the log.
In a hard fought match, SKW dominated the first half with Sledge Gowaseb having total control in the midfield.
In the 21st minute SKW captain Marko van Wyk took a cracking shot which Oshakati keeper Melksidek Shiku managed to parry away, but SKW striker Jacky Stephanus coolly sunk the rebound into the net.