Five men to watch at the Australian Open

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Five men to watch at the Australian Open NAMPA/AFP



Melbourne Park is a home away from home for the Serbian world number two who has won seven of the last 12 Australian Opens since making his Grand Slam breakthrough on its hardcourts way back in 2008.

Novak Djokovic, who has amassed 16 Major tournament wins, thrashed his old sparring partner Rafael Nadal in last year's final to kick off another phenomenal year where he won his fifth Wimbledon title and collected five tournament victories to take his career tally to 77.

Now 32 and seeded two, he enters the tournament after leading Serbia to the ATP Cup title in Sydney with few betting against 'Nole' dominating his favourite event once again.

Tennis royalty Federer is rapidly becoming the oldest swinger in town but even at 38, he still has the tools to add to his all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles.

Retirement talk is never far away at his age but there are few signs he plans to call a halt this year, when Federer will look to fill the only gap in his trophy cabinet Olympic singles gold.

Like Djokovic, he has a liking for Melbourne Park, where he has won six titles, most recently in 2018. But he enters the opening Grand Slam of 2020 rusty, with no competitive matches under his belt this season.

The Swiss great crashed last year in the fourth-round to Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is 17 years his junior.

Top-ranked Nadal, so often Federer's nemesis, can deliver the ultimate slap to the great Swiss by equalling his 20 Major titles in Melbourne.

The Mallorcan, the first man to be world number one in three different decades, won the 2009 final against a tearful Federer but that remains his best showing in Australia, with four runner-up finishes to his name.

Nadal, 33, has been the gallant loser in two of the last three deciders but it would be just like the indomitable Spaniard to hit back with a long-awaited second Australian Open title on February 2.

Expectations are high for the 21-year-old Tsitsipas, who stunned Federer last year en route to the Melbourne semi-finals before making a breakthrough by winning the season-ending ATP Finals in London the youngest to do so since Lleyton Hewitt in 2001.

It was a standout year for the 1.93m (6ft 4in) Greek, who lifted two other trophies to end the season as world number six.

But apart from his Melbourne run, he wasn't such a threat at Grand Slams, losing in the first-round at Wimbledon and the US Open and in the fourth round at Roland Garros.

He admitted last week to sometimes losing focus at crunch moments with Tsitsipas needing to show he has what it takes to break the Big Three's stranglehold on the Major titles.

When Kyrgios plays, controversy is never far away and the combustible Canberran could well provide some fireworks at Melbourne Park.

The Australian is possessed of a huge forehand and serve when he's not serving underarm but all too often allows emotions to get in the way, sparring with umpires, fans and fellow players.

The 24-year-old, however, heads into his home Grand Slam seemingly more reserved after spearheading efforts to raise funds for bushfire-ravaged Australia, a disaster that he admits has impacted him deeply.

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McGregor demolishes Cerrone

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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McGregor demolishes CerroneCowboy falls in 40 seconds Conor McGregor faced an experienced veteran whose 36 wins included the most knockouts (20) in UFC. Conor McGregor made a triumphant return to the UFC octagon on Saturday, pummelling Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone for a technical knockout victory in just 40 seconds.

The mixed martial arts superstar from Ireland returning to the Ultimate Fighting Championship for the first time since he was battered into submission by arch-rival Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018 overpowered his American foe without ever being tested.

After missing with a first punch, McGregor immediately bloodied a clinching Cerrone's nose with an upward shoulder strike quickly followed by another.

As soon as Cerrone stepped back, McGregor caught him on the jaw with a high kick, then buried him under a hail of punches.

Referee Herb Dean stepped in to call a halt to the welterweight bout 40 seconds into the first round at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

McGregor took his record to 22-4 with his first UFC victory since 2016, when he stopped Eddie Alvarez in a lightweight title fight to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold two championship belts at the same time.

That triumph was followed by a loss to boxing great Floyd Mayweather in a cross-combat superfight in 2017, his loss to Nurmagomedov, announcements of retirements and returns to fighting and brushes with authorities outside the octagon.

He pleaded guilty to hitting a man in a bar in Ireland and was accused of smashing a fan's phone in Florida.

The New York Times reported he is the subject of two alleged sexual assault investigations in Ireland.

Nevertheless, he remains the most popular fighter in UFC history, and his return brought out stars including British heavyweight Tyson Fury and New England Patriots superstar quarterback Tom Brady for the sold-out show.

Although there was no title at stake, McGregor said the outcome was a harbinger of things to come.

“I like this (welterweight) division,” he said. “I feel really good. I came out of here unscathed. I've got work to do to get back to where I was.”

And while the UFC has stripped him of titles before, McGregor noted they can never take away the fact that he has posted knockouts in three divisions featherweight, lightweight and welterweight.

“Etch my name in the history books one more time,” he said.

NAMPA/AFP

Oshikungulu sha hanagula po omagumbo mEngela

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Oshikungulu sha hanagula po omagumbo mEngela Oshikandjohogololo shEngela moshitopolwa shaHangwena osha dhengwa koshikungulu shoka sha hanagula po omagumbo gontumba nomiti oshowo iikombo ine mbyoka ya dhipagwa kolwaadhi mEtitatu.

Sho a koleke oshiningwanima shoka koNampa, kansela gwoshikandjohololo Engela, Jason Ndakunda okwa popi kutya shoka oshikando oshitiyali oshikandjohogololo shoka tashi dhengwa koshikungulu muule woshiwike.

Matias Abed, omugandjimayele kumwene gwomukunda Omundundu, Hendrik Haufiku, okwa lombwele oNampa mEtitano kutya omagumbo geli 32 momukunda ngoka oga gumwa koshikungulu shoka.

“Olwaadhi olwa dhipaga iikombo 23 yaHamukoshi pethimbo lyoshikungulu shoka mEtitano lya piti omanga iikombo ine yomukuluntuskola nale, Werner Shihepo ya dhipagwa kolwaadhi mEtitatu,” Abed a popi.

Etungo lyoshikunino sha Abed nalyo olya hanagulwapo.

Abed okwa popi kutya omudhingoloko ngoka ohagu dhengwa olundji kiikungulu, ta gwedha po kutya omvula ya piti, oshikungulu osha hanagula po omatungo goskola poskola Shituwa Secondary School, tayi adhika oshinano shookilometa 3.4 okuza momukunda Omundudu.

Omukalimo gumwe gwomOmundudu, Peneyambeko Kanghono, okwa lombwele onzonkundaneki ndjika kutya omudhingoloko gwawo ogwa dhengwa koshikungulu sha landula omuloka omunene ngoka gwa loko omudhingoloko ngoka.

Oshikungulu shomEtitatu osha thigi woo iigandhi iyali yiilya yomahangu yi li kohi yomeya megumbo lyaJosef Lazarus momukunda Omundudu.

NAMPA

Omugameni gwomaliko a haya mukwawo mOutapi

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Omugameni gwomaliko a haya mukwawo mOutapi Opolisi yaNamibia mOutapi moshitopolwa shaMusati oya tula miipandeko omunamimvo 26 omulumentu, omuniilonga omukaleli gwomaliko, ngoka a yaha mukwawo nondjembo yiilonga. Omulumentu gwoomvula 26 okwa tulwa miipandeko sho a haya omukiintu omuniilonga pamwe naye metundji. Sho a kolele oshiningwanima shoka, Inspector Linekela Shikongo ngoka e li omupopiliko gwopolisi moshitopolwa shaMusati, okwa popi kutya oshiningwanima shoka osha ningwa lwopotundi 19h30, pehala lyiilonga.

Omufekelwa oshowo nakuninga oshihakanwa ayehe aaniilonga yehangano limwe.

Shikongo okwa yelitha kutya omufekelwa okwa li a yi kehala hoka taku longele mukwawo mOutapi opo a ka taleko ondjembo ndjoka ya li tayi longithwa kumukwawo opo a ye nayo kehala hoka ta longele.

Nonando okwiinekelwa kutya oshiponga shoka osha ningwa pamupya, omufekelwa okwa taalela oshipotha shonkambadhala yedhipago na okwa tegelelwa a holoke mompangulilo yamangestrata mOutapi.

“Omufekelwa okwa taalela woo ey o pondje lyontopolwa onti 8 yOmpangu yIilwitho nIikuti ontiheyali yomo 1996 oshowo okukuthamo ondjembo momukalo guuhasha, nokweehameka mukwawo,” Shikongo a popi.

okwa popi kutya shoka sha etitha eyaho ndyoka kashi shiwike natango, omunamimvo 36 ngoka a yahwa okwa tuminwa moshipangelo shepangelo shaShakati moka e li ta mono epango.

NAMPA

Madrid beat Sevilla

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Madrid beat SevillaCasemiro's double seals victory Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was at the rescue of a struggling Real Madrid. Real Madrid started without their top scorer, captain and record signing on Saturday but claimed a scrappy 2-1 win over Sevilla.

Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Eden Hazard were all absent at the Santiago Bernabeu but Casemiro stepped up in their place.

His first double as a Real player proved the difference amid a three-goal flurry in the second half, during which Luuk de Jong had briefly pulled Sevilla level.

“Two goals for him is very unusual,” said Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.

His team were largely underwhelming, at times reverting to the stodgy days of last season when they struggled for goals under Julen Lopetegui, who was this time in the dug-out of Sevilla.

Yet given those missing, the opposition and the performance, this might be the kind of victory that could prove crucial to Madrid winning the title in May.

“It makes the win even more important,” said Zidane. “It's only three points but we needed them and we got them by suffering.”

Setien has said he will not be satisfied if his team win while playing badly, but Zidane is likely to be less choosy.

His side are now 17 games unbeaten, a streak that included them winning the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia last weekend.

Ramos, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, paraded the club's latest trophy on the pitch before kick-off.

Benzema came on in the second half after shaking off a dead leg but Ramos and Hazard need more time to recover.

Gareth Bale was not even in the squad, despite training on Friday. Bale missed the trip to Jeddah through illness.

“He picked up a knock the other day,” said Zidane. “Only because of that.”

Lopetegui was back at the Santiago Bernabeu for the first time since he was sacked by Real last season, 138 days after they appointed him.

“I haven't even stopped to think about it,” Lopetegui said. “The only emotion I wanted to feel is to win here.”

His Sevilla side arguably deserved more too but converting impetus into goals has been their problem all season, and so it proved again.

NAMPA/AFP

Haaland bags hat-trick

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Haaland bags hat-trick Norwegian rising star Erling Braut Haaland came off the bench to claim a hat-trick inside 20 minutes on his Borussia Dortmund debut and inspire a 5-3 comeback win at Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday despite not being fully fit.

The 19-year-old showed why Dortmund paid Salzburg 20 million euros ($22 million) for him last month when he came on in the 56th minute with his new team 3-1 down.

However, Dortmund coach Lucien Favre insisted the teen lacks full fitness following a knee knock.

“He didn't train at all in December, he had an injury, and in our training camp we couldn't do much for three or four days,” said Favre.

“He's not quite ready to play the 90 minutes and we have another game on Friday (home to Cologne).”

Haaland said he was “pretty relaxed” about his hat-trick and brushed off questions about his fitness, replying dryly “did I look fit?”.

“I'm at a fantastic club with great team-mates and good people around me. I came here to score goals and it was a good debut for me.”

Dortmund's victory left them fourth in the table, level on points with defending champions Bayern Munich and Schalke, but seven points behind leaders RB Leipzig, who opened a five-point gap at the top with a 3-1 win over Union Berlin.

Haaland needed just 183 seconds to open his Dortmund account, then added two more in quick succession for his sixth hat-trick this season having already scored 28 goals in 22 games for Salzburg.

“He is still young and we would advise against expecting too much, but he brings us a lot of strength and has an incredible mentality,” said Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc.

“He has enormous speed, given his size, he's a good overall package. He's a raw diamond of course, he still needs to work on a few areas.”

NAMPA/AFP

School computer thieves stump cops

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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School computer thieves stump cops Efforts by the Oshana police to recover 67 laptops, valued at N$223 800, that were stolen from two neighbouring schools in Ongwediva have proven futile. No arrests have also been made.

Towards the end of last year, police were hunting for the thieves who stole computers at Kleine Kuppe Private School on 28 September and Hashiyana Combined School on 29 October last year.

Police said all efforts to trace these computers have reached a dead end.

On 28 September, 32 laptops and a scanner valued at N$140 000 were stolen from the Kleine Kuppe Private School.

A month later, thieves broke into the neighbouring Hashiyana Combined School and got away with 35 mini-laptops, as well as a camera and accessories valued at N$83 800.

Kleine Kuppe principal Isabel Miguel told Namibian Sun the computers were essential for teaching and learning, and the school has decided to replace them.

“After waiting long for the police investigation, we decided to buy new computers. As we speak, the school already has new computers,” Miguel said.

Hashiyana principal Amon Ndeitwa said the theft has impacted the school negatively.

“The school has not yet received any report from the investigators. The theft of these computers has a drastic impact on the school's teaching and learning, because we are using technology integration towards teaching and learning programmes, and this is a setback to the entire system,” Ndeitwa said.

The police said they had called on members of the public to assist with any information and also checked with computer repair shops for any attempts to remove laptop passwords or systems, but to no avail.

ILENI NANDJATO

No Brexit blues for Namibia

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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No Brexit blues for NamibiaIJG confident about trade Trade between the Southern African Customs Union and the UK should continue effortlessly, irrespective of Britain's other Brexit negotiations. No obstacles are foreseen for Namibia from a trade point of view as far as Brexit is concerned, local stockbroking firm IJG Securities said in an advisory released last week.

Assuming the European parliament gives the green light, the UK will formally leave the European Union on 31 January with a withdrawal deal, and will then go into a transition period scheduled to end on 31 December.

During this period, the UK will effectively remain in the EU's customs union and single market, but will be outside the political institutions. There will be no British members of the European parliament.

On how this is expected to affect Namibia, IJG said there were no notable concerns. “As for Namibia, we expect the new Sacu (Mozambique)-UK economic partnership agreement (EPA) to be ratified without any obstacles or delay and for trade between Sacu and the UK to continue effortlessly, irrespective of how the UK's other negotiations play out,” it said.

According to IJG, in September 2019, Namibia, together with five other southern African countries, signed a new trade agreement with the UK, as the current EU-SADC EPA will no longer apply to the UK once it leaves the EU. “The new agreement, which will be referred to as the Sacu (Mozambique)-UK EPA, will kick in after the transitional period during which the UK will negotiate its final terms with the EU,” it said.

“The new agreement essentially replicates the existing terms of the current agreement, and will ensure that trade continues between the countries, whether the UK reaches a deal with the EU by the transition period's deadline of 31 December or not,” IJG added.

On a recent visit to Namibia, the United Kingdom's minister for Africa Andrew Stephonson said the UK would make sure no trade ties with Namibia are strained.

“As we leave the EU at the end of January, we are beginning to sign continuity agreements at various places around the world, including here [in Namibia] to ensure that there is no disruption,” said Stephenson, adding that he wants African countries to maintain ties with the UK as their partner of choice.

OGONE TLHAGE

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Ulster book place in Euro quarters

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Ulster book place in Euro quarters Billy Burns upstaged older brother Freddie to lead Ulster to a gritty 22-15 victory over Bath on Saturday to secure a spot in the European Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Clermont ran out 26-19 winners over Harlequins to top Pool 3, on 24 points, with Ulster, on 21pts, qualifying as one of the three best second-placed teams.

Four-time champions Leinster will be top seeds in the quarters after making it six out of six for an unassailable 28 points to top Pool 1 with an 18-0 win over Treviso.

Exeter also booked a home tie in the last eight with a 33-14 win over French outfit La Rochelle while Glasgow kept their slender hopes alive with a crushing bonus-point win at Sale.

Leinster, Exeter, Clermont, Racing 92, Toulouse and Ulster have all qualified for the quarter-finals with Northampton, Glasgow, Saracens and Gloucester vying for the other two spots.

In Belfast, the battle of the Burns brothers went the way of Billy, whose successful move to Ulster has seen him picked for Ireland's Six Nations squad.

“We've got to be a lot better if we want to go further,” Burns said.

“That's as tough a game as we've played here, all credit to Bath.”

Burns added: “This group is hungry to learn and get better. I don't know who we'll be playing in the quarter-finals, but we'll look forward to getting stuck into it.”

Springbok No 8 Marcell Coetzee opened the scoring for the home side, powering over from close range following an attacking line-out maul. In-form scrum-half John Cooney booted the extras.

Bath drew level through Ruaridh McConnochie, the England winger pouncing on a Freddie Burns cross-kick that evaded Jacob Stockdale on the bounce.

England cap Burns nailed the conversion.

Ulster kicked off the second period in perfect fashion, full-back Will Addison's smart offload setting Robert Baloucoune haring down his right wing for a try Cooney converted. Burns senior clawed back three points with a penalty for Bath before Addison raced away for Ulster's third try following some slick midfield handling.

A Ross Batty pushover try for Bath set up what should have been a nail-biting final 10 minutes, but that petered out after referee Ruiz showed the replacement hooker a red card for a reckless shoulder charge into the face of Cooney, Burns hitting the penalty for Ulster.

Exeter had already qualified but needed to beat La Rochelle to secure a home tie in the last eight and after an awkward first half, came through to win 33-14.

The first 40 minutes was a nail-biter for the home supporters who saw tries from Luke Cowan-Dickie and Dave Ewers cancelled out by scores from Kini Murimurivalu and a penalty try.

Turning round at 14-14, the Chiefs moved up a gear in the second half and a double from number eight Sam Simmonds and a late touchdown from Stu Townsend secured the bonus point and a home tie in the quarter-finals.

Coach Rob Baxter was taking nothing granted.

“Everyone you face from now on will be very good,” he told BT Sport. “Whatever happens it's going to be tough.”

Northampton and Glasgow both kept their hopes of reaching the knock-out phase alive although the Saints have a better chance than the Warriors.

Northampton's bonus-point 36-24 victory at Lyon in Pool 1 means they now have 19 points, two more than Glasgow who hammered Sale 45-7.

Both teams will have to wait until Sunday's matches, where defending champions Saracens and Gloucester, both on 14 points, need bonus-point wins to sneak in.

Neither side has an easy task. Gloucester will need to turn over Toulouse in France while Saracens, rocked by the news that they will be relegated from the Premiership at the end of the season for salary cap breaches, must beat Racing 92 at Allianz Park.

NAMPA/AFP

Italy's Brignone emulates mother

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Italy's Brignone emulates mother Federica Brignone emulated her mother by winning a World Cup Alpine skiing race in Sestriere on Saturday but the Italian had to share top spot on the podium with Slovak Petra Vlhova in the women's giant slalom.

Both Brignone and Vlhova clocked the same overall time of 2min 21.15sec after the two runs down the Italian Alps, with US superstar Mikaela Shiffrin finishing third best just 0.01sec behind.

The 29-year-old Brignone follows her mother, former Italian skier Maria Rosa Quario, who won the slalom in the Italian Alpine resort back in 1983.

“I knew my mother won here a long time ago, but I didn't know she was the last Italian to win here,” said Brignone.

“It was one of the hardest races I'd ever done, especially because of the pressure, the crowd, the expectations.

“Everyone was screaming my name, saying 'you're here to win, you have to win!'

“I just tried to stay really iced and really focused on my skiing. I'm so proud of myself.

“The second run was enough to give me a heart attack,” added Brignone.

She had been fastest in morning's first run but, despite being the fifth-fastest in the second, held on to match 24-year-old Vlhova, the world champion in the discipline.

“I put my life into it,” continued the Italian.

“It was enough to win on a razor edge. I only saw afterwards that I had the same time as Vlhova, but I'm very happy about that.”

The two skiers also both achieved their 13th World Cup victory.

The Italian brings her tally in the giant slalom to seven career wins. She has won three races this season.

Olympic champion Shiffrin set a blistering time in the second run to move up from fourth position into the final podium position, her 11th of the season.

But the 24-year-old from Colorado is still chasing her first win of 2020, with her last victories the giant slalom and slalom double in Lienz, Austria in late December.

“It's never easy, it was a big fight,” said Shiffrin.

“At the end it was one hundredth and third, but that's how it goes, especially after last season I had the lucky side of the hundreds many times.”

Shiffrin bidding for a fourth straight big crystal globe leads the overall World Cup standings, with a 233-point advantage on Vlhova.

Brignone is third, 281 points behind the American.

The Italian leads the giant slalom standings 61-points ahead of Shiffrin with Vlhova fourth overall.

Shriffin added: “The most exciting thing for me is that people have stopped asking me like 'are you unbeatable'?

“The level of GS is so high and today it was super cool to see so many girls going really aggressive, really good skiing.

“Everyone was just going for it and that was really motivating.

“It does feel a bit like I have to find something new.”

Vlhova, the reigning world champion in the discipline, claimed her fourth win of the season, having also won the slalom in Zagreb and Flachau, Austria earlier this month.

“It's my first win in the giant slalom this season, so I'm extremely happy about this,” said the Slovak, who is favourite for Sunday's parallel giant slalom race.

NAMPA/AFP

Mbaeva upbeat about 2020

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Mbaeva upbeat about 2020Keeper awaits start of season Namibian international Maximilian Mbaeva says Golden Arrows have become like home for him. Former Brave Warriors number one Maximilian Mbaeva predicts a good 2020 even if he is yet to start a match for his club this year.

The goalkeeper started 13 matches for Arrows in the 2018/19 season but has not been selected during the 2019/20 season.

Mbaeva however remains positive that his chance will come despite sliding down the packing order of the club.

“I am happy with my situation here because the most important thing is that the club is doing okay,” he says.

“Yes, it can be frustrating sometimes when one is on the bench but it also motivates a person to work harder on the training field.

“It is always great being part of a wonderful club and I am proud of the journey with them.”

In the 2017/18 season, Mbaeva played nine premier league games and one cup game compared to the 12 and one cup game he played during the 2016/17 season. His biggest season for the club was the 2014/15 campaign where he played 33 matches for his side.

“As a goalkeeper, you must always expect situations like this and also be happy for what your competitors are doing. “It is not only about you but about what the team is doing and how far it can go in the premier league.

“I have been here at this club for a number of years now and it has really become my second home,” Mbaeva says.

Mbaeva made his debut for Arrows in August 2014 and went on to make over 95 appearances for his club.

The 30-year old has remained loyal to his South African club despite numerous interests since signing from Namibia's premier league African Stars seven years ago.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

Outjo Football Academy to play Mighty Gunners

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Outjo Football Academy to play Mighty Gunners The Outjo Football Academy has lined up Namibia Premier League side Mighty Gunners of Otjiwarongo as part of their pre-season campaign opponents.

During an interview with Nampa, Outjo Football Academy head coach Hennie Kavendjii confirmed that the team had started with fitness training for the Under-17, U-19 and the professional squad on Monday. He said the players need to be kept in shape even though it is not yet known when the Namibia Premier League's first and second divisions will start.

“The players have already started training to slowly build their fitness levels and gain match practice. We will carry on with the same routine for the next two weeks,” said Kavendjii.

The team's strength will be tested next weekend when they face Mighty Gunners in Otjiwarongo.

Kavendjii also said the game against Gunners was arranged to prepare the team for the upcoming Khorixas regional team-building tournament at the end of the month.

During the pre-season campaign, the team will also battle it out against Life Fighters Football Club and Chief Santos. Outjo Football Academy is the defending champion of the now fragmented Kunene Second Division league.

NAMPA

NC receives 57 nominations

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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NC receives 57 nominationsNFA top positions up for grabs Many people in football circles are queuing for NFA top positions which are up for grabs. The International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) Normalisation Committee (NC) at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) has received 57 nominations for several positions in the NFA.

An elective congress is set for next month.

NC vice-chairperson and acting secretary-general of the NFA, Frans Cosmos, in a letter seen by this agency announced that the nominated individuals will vie for the position of vice-president, first and second vice-president and 11 positions on the executive committee (exco).

Apart from the above positions, 10 names were also received for the position of NFA president.

The nominees for the first vice-president position are: Rudolph Haingura, Andreas Amusha, Fillemon Vatilifa, Oscar Mulonda, Markus Murs Jacobus, Peter Ndjulu, lzak Fredericks, Michael Situde, Mpasi Haingura, Monika Shapwa, and John Paul Do Santos.

The second vice-president nominees are: Rudolph Haingura, Oscar Mulonda, Peter Ndjulu, lzak Fredericks, Laban Shalyolute, Nettie Cloete, Morris Busungu, Michael Sitiude, Harry Jahs, Rosemarie Khaibes, and Fillemon Vatilifa. The nominees vying for the nine remaining Exco member seats are: Rosemarie Khaibes, Nettie Cloete, Ingy Hainghumbi, Peter Ndjulu, Andreas Amesho, lzak Fredericks, Morris Busungu, Oscar Mulonda, Laban Shalyolute, Samuel Mushelenga, Ferdinand Hausiku, Rudolph Haingura, Lourence Kandundu, Alma Mupupa, Dawid Morgan, Victor Petrus, Harry Jahs, Fillemon Vatilifa, Peter Vaino, Shali Amakali, Suzel Cloete, Jacobus Murs Markus, Kenneth !Gaoseb, Raphael Kamuyoyo, Earnest Jay, Albina Kauko lita, Josefart Jagger, Johnny Johnson Doeseb, Monika Shapwa, Nelago Stephanus, John Sinime, Reinhold !Hoaeb, Ruwa Dumingu, Kanyaso Mathews and Lydia Ndumba.

The exco consists of 11 members, but only nine positions are contested as the other two will automatically be filled by the NPL chairperson (Patrick Kauta) and a representative of all the three national first divisions and Southern Stream First Division chairperson, Kenneth !Gaoseb.

NC will do the vetting, eligibility and integrity checks to see if the nominated individuals are fit to run for office.

The NFA is currently under the care of the NC, which was appointed by Fifa in February 2019 after the NFA failed to hold an elective congress following a standoff between former president Frans Mbidi and the then secretary-general Barry Rukoro.

The NC was mandated with normalising football affairs in Namibia.

NAMPA

Kunene appoints Guruseb

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Kunene appoints Guruseb The Kunene Region has appointed former Blue Waters Football Club head coach, Christy Guruseb, to lead the regional under-20 football team for the 2020 edition of The Namibian Newspaper Cup.

Speaking to Nampa, the team's technical director, Hennie Kavendjii, said the appointment of Guruseb was a decision agreed upon by all executive members during a recently held meeting.

According to him, the executive resolved that it is high time that region regains its strength and becomes a force to be reckoned with in these tournaments, and that there was no better candidate than the former Blue Waters coach.

“With Christy's vast experience in Namibian football, we believe he is capable of leading this year's team to glory,” added Kavendjii.

He said the region would start earlier than expected with the team selection and fitness training to afford the new coach more time to familiarise himself with the squad.

The selection of the team is scheduled for 31 January at Khorixas during the regional team-building tournament and all teams that have under-20 structures are urged to take part in the tournament for smooth and fair selection of the final regional squad, he added.

The newly appointed technical team is comprised of Guruseb as head coach, deputised by Arnold Gaoseb.

Robert Hachawab will serve as the team manager, while Coach Given will be responsible for coaching goalkeepers.

Kavendjii was appointed as the technical director, while Flecon Kamutena will serve as the medical team leader.

NAMPA

Loan holders want meeting with DBN

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Loan holders want meeting with DBNRecession hits businesses Business people with DBN loans are finding it hard to meet their payment schedules because of the economic slump. A number of Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) loan holders are seeking a meeting with the bank's management and board of directors to iron out issues affecting them.

A request to meet CEO Martin Inkumbi was made in December last year after the group had held a meeting at Usakos.

They claim to face difficulties in their businesses due to the current economic challenges facing the country, which has affected their ability to service their loans regularly.

Businesswoman Irené Simeon-Kurtz told fellow loan holders that 2019 was a tough and trying year for many entrepreneurs and there is no end in sight.

“I would like to remind members that it is of utmost importance that we as DBN loan holders remain focused whether you are affected or not. There are many issues that need to be addressed with one voice,” she said.

“These are issues affecting current and future loan holders in terms of policy, legislation, mandate and, most importantly, the impact it has on our businesses and economy. As key role players in this economy it is just correct to engage DBN exco and board members on many pressing issues we are facing collectively,” Simeon-Kurtz said.

“After our first meeting in Usakos in December last year, we wrote and called for a meeting with the DBN CEO. Our request was confirmed and well received.

The CEO promised to revert back for a meeting date early January 2020 once he is back in office. Unfortunately our request was just before close of business festive season.

“A few members of us will be nominated to represent us (loan holders) at this meeting at least 10 strong individuals. I further suggest that the nominated members will form part of the DBN Loan Holders Association who will be representing the interest of DBN loan holders.”

Simeon-Kurtz said they hoped that the DBN would respond soon.

ILENI NANDJATO

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Cable break affects internet

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Cable break affects internet Internet activity throughout Namibia came to a near standstill on Thursday after two breaks in the South Atlantic 3/West Africa (WACS) submarine cables occurred.

The cables enable Namibia and other southern African countries to connect to the internet.

The cables connect Namibia to internet transmitters in Europe.

Many internet users were affected by slow internet speeds as a result of the breakage, as access to the internet become increasingly difficult.

The cables are believed to have been affected in Libreville, Gabon, and off the coast of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Telecom Namibia said an unspecified problem had caused the outage.

“Please note that we are experiencing an interruption in connectivity to the submarine cable systems. This is affecting inbound and outbound internet connection to internal destinations as well as some local and South African-bound internet connectivity. Tests are being conducted on various segments of the cable system,” Telecom said. It added that teams had been assigned to rectify the problem.

Technicians were able to restore internet connectivity on Friday night.

The submarine cables land at Swakopmund, from where internet traffic to Namibia and from here to the rest of the world is received.

On Friday morning, internet service provider Afrihost told users that connections were being re-routed, but that it still had no estimate on when normal service would resume.

Telecom Namibia, Broadband Infraco, Telkom South Africa, Vodacom DRC, MTN, Tata Communications, Togo Telecom, Office Congolais de Poste et Télécommunication, Congo Telecom, Portugal Telecom, Angola Cables, Cape Verde Telecom, Vodafone Espana, Vodafone, Neotel, PCCW, Camtel and Vodafone Ghana were among the internet service providers that were affected.

OGONE TLHAGE

Nanso launches campaign on access to education

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Nanso launches campaign on access to education There are many challenges in the provision of access to basic education which need to be addressed to ensure that every Namibian child has the opportunity to obtain an education.

This was said by Namibian National Student Organisation (Nanso) president Simon Taapopi on Thursday while speaking at the launch of a countrywide campaign on access to education, aimed at addressing challenges affecting access to education.

He said the campaign is also aimed at coming up with solutions that will address problems such as lack of textbooks and poor education infrastructure. Under this campaign, the student body will look at the quality of school infrastructure and the quality outcomes of education as some schools, Taapopi said, operate under trees and those learners are expected to excel like others at schools that are better equipped.

“How do you expect the child to pass? If they are all going to be tested using the same method, they must all be equipped with the same resources,” he said.

Taapopi further said for the past 10 years, the country's education system did not obtain a pass rate of over 70 per cent, yet millions of dollars are spent every year.

“This country spends a lot of money on education but is not reaping the benefits of those investments. We therefore have to do quality assurance and evaluate the investment we are making in education or we will be forced to come up with other solutions,” said the student leader.

Taapopi said during the campaign, the student body will engage the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture on the fair and equal distribution of education materials to all the regions and schools, as he said only some schools are adequately equipped to deliver quality education.

NAMPA

Every drop still counts

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Every drop still counts Windhoekers have failed to achieve the overall water savings target implemented in May last year and the municipality remains gravely concerned about the city's water supply situation for 2020.

Based on weekly water usage measurements taken since May 2019, when the City of Windhoek implemented the severe water scarcity regulations and mandatory 15% water savings target, actual water usage exceeded the weekly target of 465 000 cubic metres most weeks.

Overconsumption of water was at its highest in October and November when the target was surpassed by 12% in the week starting 14 October, and by 10% over two weeks in November.

The weekly targets were reached only in the colder month of July, three weeks in August, one week in September and one in October, and then again most of December and all of January, when many had fled the capital during their holidays.

At the end of December, 23% water savings were achieved and 14% in the first week of January. Although water savings were achieved in the week ending 13 January, the savings had dropped to 3% of the overall target.

Overall, since May 6 last year, a total of 17.5 million cubic metres was consumed in Windhoek, instead of the 17.2 million cubic metres the city planned for if the 15% goal had been reached.

In total Windhoek residents and businesses consumed 260 263 cubic metres over target between May 2019 and January 2020.

“Since May 2019 until now, the overall savings was 13.5%, which is commendable. Unfortunately this is still 1.5% over the target,” Windhoek municipality spokesperson Harold Akwenye said last week.

“The City of Windhoek is concerned as the target has not been achieved. There are as yet no definitive indications that we will have sufficient surface water for 2020,” he warned.

Akwenye said the municipality remains deeply worried about the lack of surface water inflow to the dams, despite some rains, and the impact of continued extraction of water from the aquifer to offset over-consumption.

In May last year, the city announced that the majority of water supply would be sourced from the aquifer, which would supply 39% of the city's water needs, compared to 35% to be supplied from NamWater, and 26% from the reclamation plant. The 15% savings target formed a crucial part of the water management strategy, as any water consumed more than the target consumption of 465 000 cubic metres per week has to be offset by the Windhoek boreholes.

All savings would ease pressure on the aquifer city authorities stressed.

In September last year, the city announced that the Windhoek aquifer water levels had been reduced to 25%. Akwenye explained that as per the water management plan the Windhoek aquifer has to be recharged by artificial means when the dams are filled, which has not taken place since 2011.

Despite sporadic rains recorded last month in the central areas, inflow has been minimal.

He said the little inflow to the Omatako Dam equates to “about four or five months of water supply to Windhoek, if all the water could be moved from the Omatako Dam to the Von Bach Dam.”

In case the dams do receive good inflow, recharging the aquifer will be a priority.

For the foreseeable future, the Category D water scarcity regulations remain in place, and Akwenye urged residents to practice wise-water usage to ensure that the abstraction from the aquifer remains minimal.

He said Windhoekers are urged to adopt a “smart lifestyle” by implementing daily water management practices at home, including regular water meter readings and ensuring that consumption remains below the target of 90 litres of water per housemate per day.

He again urged residents to immediately isolate water leaks and to arrange repairs quickly and to install water efficient flow reducers for taps and showers. Where possible, he said residents should consider installing water efficient toilets which can reduce consumption by 50%.



JANA-MARI SMITH

Evidence stuck in grieving mother's thigh

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Evidence stuck in grieving mother's thighCourt case halted for operation Evidence in a wrongful death lawsuit against the police – a stray bullet fired nearly a year ago – will have to be removed from the plaintiff's leg for forensic testing. A N$3 million wrongful death lawsuit against the police stemming from the killing of a child who was struck by a stray bullet on Valentine's Day in 2019 can only proceed once the bullet is removed from his grieving mother's thigh for ballistics testing.

Close to a year after her son was killed when a police officer allegedly fired a shot at a pack of stray dogs, the same bullet that allegedly took the life of her young son remains lodged in Siegfriedine Kahimunu's thigh. In her particulars of claim filed in July last year, Kahimunu claims the fatal projectile was fired by a “certain Sergeant Laury Haimbodi” in the early morning hours of 14 February in Windhoek's Freedom Square location, while the family was sleeping inside a shack.

The bullet injured her and her older son, Rendy Kahimunu, and killed Muhupua Verundurka Kenahiwo Kahimunu (4).

A two-year old daughter was spared, court documents state.

Lawyers from Kangueehi & Kavendjii Inc last week filed a status report in the Windhoek High Court asking that the case be postponed to March to allow doctors to remove the bullet for testing.

“The defendants are unable to accept or deny liability, which will in turn determine whether the matter may be settled at this stage, as the investigations were incomplete and the ballistic report, which will determine whether the projectile concerned was fired from [Haimbondi's] firearm, is outstanding.”

Lawyer Tjingairi Kaurivi informed High Court Judge Nate Ndauendapo that the procedure would be scheduled at the Katutura State Hospital and the bullet will then be sent to the National Forensic Science Institutions for testing.

He explained that it was only discovered that the bullet was still lodged in her thigh after an enquiry into the missing ballistics report was made. Kaurivi however warned that it is unclear how long the wait for a final report would be as “experience dictates that some reports take as long as two years to be completed. Nonetheless, diligent efforts will be made to obtain a report within two months.”

The four defendants listed in the case include the safety and security ministry, the Namibian police inspector general, the government of Namibia and Haimbodi.

Kahimunu informed the court that the N$3 million in damages is based on the suffering she has endured in the form of emotional distress, trauma and injuries as a result of the incident and the loss of her son. She is asking the court to award an additional N$2 300 for the funeral costs.



Stray shots

Stray shots have repeatedly led to cases against the police.

In June 2019 a former Iveco bus driver, wounded by a stray bullet fired from a police officer's gun during a chase of a suspected robber, was awarded N$150 000 in damages after suing the police for more than N$1 million.

Ndilyowike Haishonga was accidentally shot in September 2016 and the bullet remains lodged in his body to this day, too close to the heart for it to be safely removed, doctor's said.

In September 2018 Lavinia Kagola (26), a mother of two, was killed by a stray bullet fired by police in the Kilimanjaro informal settlement in Katutura when a scuffle between law enforcement and a shebeen crowd broke out. Also in 2018, a stray bullet killed Johannes Muyingo who was holding his one-month-old baby, when a police officer fired a shot during a pursuit of a suspect.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Ambunda plots redemption

January 19, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Ambunda plots redemption'El Jesus' to rise again Paulus ‘El Jesus’ Ambunda has a chance to fight Zimbabwe’s Tinashe ‘Chairman’ Mwadiziwana for the World Africa Boxing Association (Waba) super bantamweight world title. Namibia's former boxing world champion Paulus 'El Jesus' Ambunda has begun plotting his way back to greatness.

Ambunda says he is eager to make a comeback after being absent from the ring for nearly eight months.

The boxer is set to face Zimbabwean Tinashe 'Chairman' Mwadiziwana but the bout is still to be confirmed.

“I believe that 2020 has great things in store for me because I have started training again,” Ambunda said.

“I have been doing some road running and training hard on my own to keep my body in shape. All I want to do right now is to keep myself fit because I have a big fight coming up, he said.”

In his last fight in May 2019, Ambunda lost the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) super bantamweight title to Stephan Fulton in the United States.

The 38-year old Ambunda, who beat Muhamad Ridhwan of Singapore in September 2018 to claim the title before losing it to Fulton, has a record of 30 fights, 27 wins of which 11 came by way of knockout, and three defeats.

“It is always disappointing when you lose such an important fight but one has to start over and get back to winning ways.

“I believe AC Boxing has been great towards me and has supported me during my absence from the ring.

“It was not the first time I lost an important fight and that is why I believe in bouncing back and getting better than I was before,” Ambunda added.

Ambunda is guided by a remarkable sense of humour and a disciplined approach to life. The talented boxer was born on a windy day at Omusimboti village east of Oshakati in August, 38 years ago.

When he was a child, boxing for Ambunda was something he only used to hear over the radio, but never had an interest in.

Ambunda started school in 1986 at Omusimboti Combined School were football was much more popular than boxing. He enjoyed playing football on the dusty fields of his home village with his young friends while they were supposed to be herding cattle.

His life took a turn for the better in 1994 when he decided to make the great trek from the north to Windhoek.

Coming to Windhoek meant that the boxer had access to television and that was how his interest in boxing grew.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA