Otjozondjupa cuts it close

Otjozondjupa cuts it closeNo team, no coaching staff The Otjozondjupa Region will only hold its trials for the under-17 regional team next week. The Otjozondjupa Region has not yet selected its regional team for the Skorpion Zinc under-17 tournament, chairman Samuel Jantze said.

The competition will take place in Windhoek on 9 September.

Jantze confirmed that a technical team had been shortlisted.

He said the regional football staff would meet this weekend to make the final arrangements for the recruiting process.

“There has been difficulty in communication between us and the people with the information about the tournament.

“I do believe that things will work out and we will have the players to select from because there is a school tournament this weekend.

“The initial trials of the tournament will take place on 12 August at the Mokati Stadium in Otjiwarongo,” Jantze said.

The regional football body invites all children born in 2002 or later to attend the trials.

Jantze said they wanted younger players who could be part of the team for at least two years.

“The NFA is also planning to select an under-17 national team from this tournament and that is why it will be important to have 15-year-olds in our regional team.”

The mining company has committed itself to a N$1.4 million sponsorship for the Namibia Football Association (NFA) to stage the youth tournament.

The last time the tournament took place in 2015, Omusati Region defeated Oshikoto Region 1-0 to lift win the Scorpion Zinc Cup.

A total of 70 goals were scored in that competition and some exciting football was displayed.

This year, the competition has drawn defending champions Omusati alongside Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, //Karas and Kunene in group A.

Group B will see Kavango East, Erongo, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Khomas battling for the knockout stages.

Group C has only four teams: Kavango West, Oshana, Hardap and the Zambezi Region.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA