Neymar Jr qualifiers kick off in misty Swakop

SWAKOPMUND, 5 JUNE – As a mist descended upon the coast during the weekend, the Neymar Jr’s Five maiden qualifiers kicked off in Swakopmund.  Teams competed in the round-robin stages as skills and class turned out to be the game changers, and five coastal teams are through to the finals.

In the end, SFC Welwitchia emerged victorious after dominating the qualifiers, and was deservedly crowned the top team. SFC Atlantic took the second spot while SFC Namib, followed. Tika-Tika were placed fourth and NY Galaxy from Walvis Bay, secured the last spot as the fifth coastal team to qualify for the National Final to take place in Windhoek at the UN Plaza on Saturday, 30 June 2018.

“The search for that one exceptional five-a-side team to represent Namibia at the World Final on Saturday, 21 July in Brazil, has begun. The Oshakati qualifier will be as exciting as the one we witnessed in Swakopmund and we wish all the participants the best,” said Bank Windhoek Head of Corporate Affairs, Hayley Allen.

Northern registered teams are encouraged to turn up prepared as the second tournament qualifier is set to take place at the Oshakati Independence Stadium this coming Saturday.

“We are excited to have finally brought this international tournament to Namibia. This was an ice breaker and June is going to be an exciting month for everyone involved with this tournament,” said BKK Sports head, Harald Fuelle.

Namibia’s most successful professional soccer player, Collin Benjamin from BKK Sports, is part of the project committee, and he was impressed with the talent and flair witnessed at the coast.

“The coastal teams have grasped this concept which gives them a little bit of an advantage over the other teams. I am looking forward to one of the best tournaments ever staged in this country,” said Benjamin.

The Neymar Jr’s Five, a Brazilian soccer star’s signature five-a-side soccer contest, is a Red Bull initiative co-sponsored by Bank Windhoek. Snickers, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and Fresh FM are also sponsors of the event.

The third and final qualifiers will take place on Saturday, 16 June 2018 at Dawid Bezuidenhout Sports Fields in Windhoek. Only one Namibian team is eligible to win the main prize; an all-expenses paid trip to the World Final in Brazil and the potential to play against Neymar Jr’s team.
For more information, log on to www.neymarjrsfive.com. – NDN Staffer