Civics win FNB Cup 17.12. 2006
Cortesy by Namibiasport
Civics beat African Stars 4-3 on penalties to win the FNB Cup final at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium on Saturday, December 16.
In a gripping and tense match that swung to and fro, the teams were tied 2-all at the end of full time. After another 30 minutes of extra time still nothing separated the teams and the match had to be decided on penalties.
Civics took the lead in the shootout when Stars defender Pat Uanivi shot wide of the goals, and Civics finally secured the victory when goalie Lukas Hashiti saved Steve Tjeenao’s spot kick. After more than two hours of drama and suspense, Civics’ fans and players could finally celebrate and they did so in style.
Civics’ coach Helmuth Scharnowski was a relieved man after the game and paid tribute to Stars. “It was a very tough game. We could not take our chances, but I also have to congratulate Stars who gave us a hard fight till the last minute. The game had to be decided on penalties and this time we had better luck on our side,” he said.
“We are very happy to make it, and it was a real thriller, till the last minute. No one was giving away one metre,” he added.
Stars’ coach Gilbert Rwasoka rued his team’s wasted chances.
“We should have won in the first 90 minutes. We wasted some chances. But I’m proud of my players, they played well,” he said.
Diergaardt puts Civics ahead
Civics took an eighth minute lead when Floris Diergaardt struck a 30-metre freeekick past Stars’ wall and into the corner of the net.
Their lead was short-lived as Steve Tjeenao equalised 10 minutes later when Civics’ keeper Lukas Hashiti could not control a cross and the ball fell to the unmarked Tjeenao who stabbed it into the net.
Stars kept on creating chances, particularly through Freedom Puriza down the left wing and their tricky centre forward Johannes Seibeb. For Civics, Brian Gurirab and Jamu Ngatjizeko worked hard in midfield, while Diergaardt up front also created several chances. In the 38th minute he laid the ball on for Tugela Tuyeni, who’se cracking shot was tipped away for a corner.
Young Fredericks makes an impression
Civics brought on young striker Eusebio Fredericks for Frans de Muinda after halftime and he soon made an impression, racing on to Diergaardt’s cross in the 48th minute but his shot was poor as it flew over the bar.
Civics were doing the attacking now and a Diergaardt shot was punched clear by Stars’ keeper Max Mbaeva, who also brought off a reflex save from a Fredericks shot in the 59th minute.
Stars took the lead against the run of play in the 67th minute when Johannes Seibeb struck a half volley that Hashiti could not hold and the ball slipped through his grasp and into the net. But seven minutes later Civics were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box and William Chilufya made no mistake with his spot kick. Just before fulltime, a cracking shot by Diergaardt whistled narrowly past Stars, goals.
Penalty drama
The game went into extra time, but neither team could unbreak the deadlock and the match had to be decided on penalties.
For Civics, Donnely Nel, Jamu Ngatjizeko, Tugela Tuyeni and Floris Diergaardt succeeded with their spot kicks, while Stars’ Freedom Puriza, Johannes Seibeb and Maleagi Ngarizemo were successful. Uanivi however kicked his shot wide, while Hashiti saved Tjeenao’s shot to give Civics victory and the N$170 000 first prize.
Stars received the runners-up cheque of N$70 000, while the losing semifinalists, Black Africa and Blue Waters each received N$20 000.
Civics coach Helmuth Scharnowski, who received the Coach of the Series award, donated his N$1 000 cheque to Blue Waters player Bullet Gaingob who was hospitalised with a cracked skull in the semifinal match against Civics.
Civics’ team manager Paul Stramis won the Manager of the Series award, while David Shaanika won the Match Official of the Series award.
Civics’ Lukas Hashiti won the Goalkeeper of the Series award, while Stars’ winger Freedom Puriza won the Player of the Series award.
Civics midfielder Rudi Louw, who missed the final after picking up two yellow cards, and Stars’ striker Gerson Katjatenja shared the Goalscorer of the Series award with three goals each.