Various teams have hailed the organisers of the PstBet Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup, saying the tournament will create more opportunities for players to showcase their talents.
The tournament is slated for 3-5 May.
The competition draw was held yesterday at the Windhoek Country Club and Casino, where both the men’s and women’s teams discovered whom they would face in their respective opening games of the tournament.
This year’s tournament will see some significant changes, as it will include women’s teams, who will also battle it out in their category.
Civics are the current NFA Cup defending champions after winning in 2021 when the tournament was last played, defeating Otjiwarongo-based outfit Mighty Gunners with a 3-2 scoreline to claim victory.
This year, the tournament is expected to ignite excitement, as the stakes are high, with the betting company PstBet coming on board with a sponsorship of N$6 million for a year.
Reacting to the draw, Jeremy Zimmer, the head coach of Civics, mostly expressed gratitude towards the sponsors for bringing the tournament back.
“It’s important to thank the sponsors and NFA for bringing this tournament back. This is where talent is discovered. One must never underestimate the smaller teams from the first division because, for them, they have nothing to lose. I believe every team taking part in the last 32 made it this far because they earned it. So, I think for us, it is to prepare well so that we don’t make any excuses,” he said.
Meanwhile, Okahandja United chairman and former Brave Warriors' captain Congo Hindjou also lauded the cup’s return, describing it as crucial for football development.
He added that many up-and-coming players will make their mark during the tournament, and might get scouted.
“We are drawn against Further Fighters, which I believe is a good team, and will give us a run for ourmoney. But we at Okahandja United are ready for this tie, and will give it our all. Despite playing against a smaller team, I want to express that the return of this cup marks a crucial moment in Namibian football. If you look at how our national team performed at this year’s African Cup of Nations (Afcon), we need a cup like this to return,” he stated.
“We have a few national competitions coming up – and when such tournaments take place, players always benefit the most because they will be fit to be selected for the national team, and will perform well at the national level. So, I would like to commend the NFA and PstBet for bringing back this beautiful tournament,” said Hindjou.
Prize money
In the men’s category, the winner of the tournament will walk away with N$500 000, while the runners-up will pocket N$250 000, and N$100 000 for the third place.
The fourth-placed team will take home a solid N$50 000.
Additionally, the player of the tournament will receive N$20 000, the top goalscorer and goalkeeper of the tournament will each receive N$15 000, the tournament referee will be awarded N$10 000, and N$5 000 will be given to the assistant referee. In the women’s category, the winners will receive a total of N$250 000, while the runners-up will walk away with N$120 000. The third-placed team will take home a total of N$70 000, while N$40 000 will be awarded to the fourth-placed team.
In the individual awards, the player of the tournament will receive N$15 000, while the top goal-scorer and goalkeeper of the tournament will each take home N$10 000.
- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na