Namibia’s most lucrative cup competition, the Leo NFA Cup was overshadowed by crowd unrest during the African Stars-Tigers match at the SKW stadium on Saturday evening.
With Stars leading 1-0, violence erupted midway through the second half when a fan on the packed western main stand started throwing bottles at opposing fans. Spectators started running in all directions as fighting broke out and a security guard tried to defuse the tension by firing a warning shot.
The violence was soon brought under control but according to a match official, the instigator broke his leg when he fell off the stand after being kicked and he was later taken to hospital by an ambulance.
The NFA issued a statement on Sunday saying that it had launched an investigation into the incident and would take action in due course.
“The NFA assures the football loving fraternity that it awaiting reports from the Security firm entrusted with provision of security at the game as well as the report from the Match Commissioner.”
“The NFA will peruse the reports as soon as possible and due investigation will be undertaken to determine the right course of action, where necessary,” it said.
“The Association again reiterates that the facility’s magnitude was and is viable to host any match at the moment and regrets that some individual or group of people behaved unruly and indeed jeopardised the safety of others, including the players,” it added.
Meanwhile, the match resumed after a half hour delay as Stars went on to beat Tigers 2-0.
It was a remarkable result, bearing in mind that Stars’ national midfielder Ninja Karongee was sent off after only 16 minutes after picking up two yellow cards.
Despite being a man down, Stars looked more dangerous on the counterattack and took the lead on 36m when Heinrich Kazerua ran onto a Rudi Louw throughpass to shoot home from close range.
Stars’ substitute striker Ikuaterua Tjozongoro increased their lead with a goal on 82m when he beat Tigers’ outrushing keeper Charles Uirab to the ball to stab it into an empty net.
Tigers’ hopes of a late comeback suffered a final blow when captain Tangeni Shipahu was red carded for swearing at the referee.
In Otjiwarongo Eleven Arrows thrashed Omeege United 7-0 with winger Romanus Shilongo scoring a record six goals and Dickson Paul the other.
Civics however recorded the biggest victory of the weekend when they thrashed Kavango United 12-1.
Alfred Ndyenge scored four goals, Bradley Werman and Pineas Jacob each scored three and Tugela Tuyeni and Ashley Jossop each scored one in Civics’ rout.
Defending champions Orlando Pirates were pushed all the way before beating Golden Bees 1-0 through a 70th minute goal by Stanley Kamesiepo.
In Walvis Bay, Black Africa beat Blue Waters 3-1 with Da Costa Angula scoring two and Clarence Foroma one goal, while Gotlieb Nakuta scored for Blue Waters.
Saturday’s results were as follows:
Leo NFA Cup Last 32
Chief Santos 2 Young Beauties 1
Eleven Arrows 7 Omeege United 0
Sailors 0 Ramblers 6
Civics 12 Kavango United 1
Blue Waters 1 Black Africa 3
African Stars 2 Tigers 0
Orlando Pirates 1 Golden Bees 0