Otjozondjupa ready to defend title at Newspaper Cup

REHOBOTH, 23 MAR – Defending champions and three time winners of The Namibian Newspaper Cup, Otjozondjupa Region on Tuesday announced their 20 players and technical team for this year’s tournament.
The 18th edition of the youth tournament will be held in Katima Mulilo from 30 March to 02 April and for the first time, includes a netball category.
Otjozondjupa team manager Rudolf Hipona told Nampa on Wednesday, although the rain halted their preparations for a day, the team’s plans are on track for them to defend the title they won last year.
“As defending champions we know that teams are gunning to beat us, but we will approach each game like it is our last game. Eighty per cent of the boys are new, but we have the needed experience from the technical team as there were no changes made from the one we had last year,” Hipona said.
The members of the technical team are Samuel Jantze as head of delegation; Maradona Tsaoseb as administrator; executive member Gerson Uwiteb; and head coach Robba Gurirab assisted by Lee Hangula and Bokke Kandundu.
The team medic is Alli Esinque and kit officer, Theophillus Kapetua.
Otjozondjupa first won the cup in Mariental in 2005 when they defeated then host Hardap 1-0 in the final through a goal scored by Romanus Severes.
They went on to clinch their second and third victories in 2013 and 2017, beating the Omaheke and Erongo regions respectively. They were also runners-up on one occasion.
The 2018 full 20-man squad: Mbanaune Tjihuro, Oabasen Kariseb, Phillip Simon, Erastus Mateus (Kingston United); Theophilus Kaom, Patrick Kudumo, Sedni Tsuseb, Question Remember Howaeb (Touch & Go); Uatirouzeu Mberiunana, Ngero Katua, Brinoldt Geiseb, Jovane Narib (Otjiwarongo Football Club); Albert Gaoab, Sergio Damaseb (Dynamos); Wilson Shiweda (Spoilers); Brian Nuwuseb (Roots); Hechter Hamaseb, Richildes Kupesera (Eleven Brothers); Jackson Eliakim, Walton Nanuseb (Sundowns)

NAMPA