Soccer action galore
Swakopmund Football Club (SFC) again hosts two soccer tournaments in December.The action kicked off with a 5-a-side tournament on 11 December, followed by the 65th edition of the annual SFC X-Mas Cup, which has become known to be the oldest tournament of its kind in the country, that takes place from 26 to 29 December.
SFC has been hosting the annual Christmas tournament since 1956. “More than 360 players were in action at last year’s competition, with 12 teams competing in the 5-a-side and 16 teams competing in the Xmas Cup competition, which delivered 36 matches (including the two finals) over four days. Interest for the upcoming event is huge, as always,” said Gerald Güther the head of sport at SFC.
Both competitions are aimed at social and league teams and offer players a chance to prepare for the next season.
Güther added that it is not at all easy to play in a tournament for four days. “We sincerely appreciate the players’ dedication and hope they enjoy their passion for football as they always do at our competition.”
Reigning champs
Ramblers won the league division after defeating OB Eleven 6-2 from Mondesa in the final of the Xmas Cup last year. It was the second time Ramblers won the trophy. The side that plies their trade in the First Divisionm also won the trophy in 2006. The Windhoek-based outfit produced eye-catching football and was deadly in front of the goal. Goals from Edmar Kamatuka (hat-trick), a brace from Tuhafeni Leonard, and a goal from Salamon Negumbo proved to be too much for OB Eleven. OB Eleven found the net through Silvester Jaantjies and Gerard Goseb. Ramblers reached the final by defeating SFC 3-2 in the semi-final round while OB Eleven found their way to the final thanks to a 1-0 win over SFC u/20.
The Social Cup as well as the Xlassico, which catered for players aged 40 and older, were the other divisions that made up the annual competition. The Social Cup final was determined by a penalty shootout after Sparta FC and Celtic FC played to a two-all draw. Goals by Diego Fransman and Tyrone Mouton gave Sparta a 2-1 lead. Celtic’s first goal was netted by Jaco Madjiedt, with Cloephas Nehale’s scoring the equaliser in the dying moments of the match. Sparta’s goalkeeper, Diego Fransman, was the hero of the match as he scored and saved one spot kick in emphatic style to ensure victory for the Walvis Bay-based team. Fransman, who has been playing at the SFC Xmas Cup since he was 13 years old, also walked away with the player of the tournament award in the social division for his heroics.
The Xlassico division was played in a league format. Kaizer Chiefs took home the spoils as they ended the competition as the top team.
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