2017 Newspaper Cup launched, draw held

2017 Newspaper Cup launched, draw heldOshana drawn in group with Omusati This year's Newspaper Cup will deliver another exciting weekend of youth football in Swakopmund, with defending champions Oshana not fearing any group-stage challengers. The 17th edition of The Namibian Newspaper Cup was launched yesterday and the draw was conducted for the annual youth football tournament.

The launch was done in Walvis Bay and defending champions Oshana were drawn in Group A with neighbouring Omusati, Zambezi and Hardap.

Host region Erongo was drawn in Group B together with Omaheke, Kunene and Kavango East, while Ohangwena, Otjozondjupa and

//Karas are in Group C.

Khomas, Kavango West and Oshikoto will battle it out in Group D.

Speaking to Namibian Sun after the draw, coach Alex Itumba of Oshana said the defending champions were going to the competition as an ordinary team.

“We obviously have the potential to defend the cup, but there are factors that will affect either our participation or preparation because as we speak we have not yet started with trials,” he said.

He said the Oshakati Stadium had been fully booked for athletics events. The rest of the region was flooded and they had no other place to host trials.

Despite these setbacks, Itumba is confident that his team has what it takes to defend the title.

“Although Omusati are the former defending champions, we managed to take the trophy from them, so I do not see them as a threat, neither are Hardap and Zambezi, the only fear I have is about the readiness of the team,” he said.

He added that nine players from last year's winning team were still eligible this year.

The youth football tournament will be played during the Easter weekend.

KAINO NGHITONGO