Archive - Jan 2010 - Story

Tigers captain and striker Tangeni Shipahu has joined SKW midfielder Milton Chapo at the top of the NPL goal scorers chart on eight goals, following completion of Round 13 of the MTC NPL. Shipahu scored Tigers’ goal in their 1-all draw against Civics on January 21, while he also scored in their 2-1 victory against Orlando Pirates four days earlier.

Chapo, who led the goal scorers chart at the end of the first round with seven goals, added one more to his tally in SKW’s 2-0 victory against Eleven Arrows on January 16.

Namibia’s 30-15 defeat to Russia in a test match on Saturday affected their world ranking adversely as they dropped down one place to 23rd in the world according to the latest International Rugby Board rankings which were released on Monday.

Namibia’s defeat saw them trade places with Spain, who moved up to 22nd in the world.

Namibia is still the second highest ranked nation in Africa on the IRB world rankings, after the continental powerhouses, South Africa, who are ranked second in the world.

Namibia’s national cricket team crashed to two consecutive defeats against Kwazulu Natal in the Cricket South Africa Challenge competition in Durban over the weekend. On Sunday, Kwazulu Natal beat Namibia by 40 runs in their 40-overs-a-side encounter, while they thrashed Namibia by 155 runs in their three-day challenge the previous day.

The home side elected to bat first in their limited overs match on Sunday, and posted a competitive total of 223 runs before they were all out in the 39th over.

Orlando Pirates moved to within a point of log leaders African Stars after a hard fought 1-0 victory over Eleven Arrows in Walvis Bay on Saturday. Arrows winger Freedom Puriza scored an own goal to hand Arrows their sixth defeat of the season. It was Congo Hindjou’s first match in charge as coach of Arrows after the dismissal of Ronnie Kanalelo, but the defeat just increased the pressure on the club which is now hovering above the relegation zone.

Namibia’s dreams of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA U20 World Cup came to an abrupt end on Sunday when they drew 2-2 against the DRC. With the DRC winning the first leg 1-0 in Kinshasa a fortnight earlier, they progressed to the final round of African qualifiers, 3-2 on aggregate.

Namibia seemed to be well set for victory when they took a 2-0 lead shortly after halftime, through a brace by Charmaine Swartbooi. But the DRC grabbed a crucial away goal when Lucie Nona Nengi scored from a penalty, while Sophie Basenga put the issue beyond doubt with a goal in injury time.

Russia were too strong for Namibia in their Rugby Test match in Windhoek on Saturday afternoon, running out 30-15 victors, after leading 17-5 at the break. Russian scrumhalf Alexander Yanyushkin had a great game, scoring 15 points with the boot as well as a great try for a personal tally of 20 points, while flyhalf Yuri Kushnarev and centre Mikail Babaev each scored a try.

African Stars and Black Africa shared the spoils in an exciting Katutura derby in front of about 5 000 fans at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Friday night. Stars drew first blood when Ninja Karongee scored on 25m, but BA equalised early in the second half when Marco van Wyk headed in from a corner. Both teams pushed hard for the winner in the final stages with swift attacks and counter attacks but the opposing defences stood firm.

Namibia were fighting for survival in their CSA Challenge match against Kwazulu Natal in Durban on Friday, after the hosts took a 223-run lead with nine second innings wickets remaining on Friday.

After dismissing Namibia for a paltry 151 in their first innings, Kwazulu Natal reached 107/1 at stumps on the second day’s play. With one day’s play left, the home side were well in the driving seat and in a strong position to win the match.

Kwazulu Natal declared their first innings at 267/9 and then had Namibia struggling at 30/2 at the end of Thursday’s play.

Civics and Tigers played to a dull 1-all draw at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Thursday night. Tangeni Shipahu put Tigers ahead on 16m when he rose unmarked at the far post to head in a long cross into Civics’ box. But Civics striker Pineas Jacob equalised 16m later with a great 30m shot on the turn.

Besides the two goals there was not much to entertain the poor turnout of barely 100 fans on a cool and cloudy evening, although the rain stayed away.

Namibia were under pressure in their three-day CSA Challenge match against Kwazulu Natal in Durban on Thursday, as they reached 30/2 at stumps, in reply to the home side’s first innings total of 267/9 declared.

Namibia won the toss and captain Craig Williams’ decision to field reaped early dividends as Tony Palladino dismissed Bradley Barnes and Greg Fotheringham within three balls in the second over of the day to leave Natal struggling at 2/1.