Ramblers defeats Tigers to progress MTC NFA CUP Semi-final – 27/04/2008
In the third quarterfinals match of the rewarding MTC NFA Cup played at Mariental on Sunday, Ramblers bested Tigers 2-0 to confirm their spot in the semi-finals.
The Oshikandela-sponsored team took the game to ‘Ingwe Inyama’. From the onset former Tigers’ defender Jeremiah Baisako was marauding down the left past Willem Mwendihanga linking up well with the prolific Samson John and hard-man Bernadine Bilizi.
But it was Tigers who had the first shot at goal after a through ball from midfield found Tangeni Shipahu but Andries Kanyemba, making a rare start, denied him a chance to celebrate with just three minutes played.
Later on Bilizi played wide to the attacking Baisako who run at the Tigers backline and managed to cross the ball across the face of goal, only for striker-turned defender, Knowledge Iipinge to nearly put it in his own net, with the ball just inches over for a corner.
Much of the half was evenly contested albeit Ramblers at times dictating the pace of play. But just before the break, John put the Rammies ahead with a well taken shot eight metres out in the referee’s first half optional time.
After the breather, it was Tigers who showed some urgency in their play and Nicodemus Narib had a shot at goal five minutes into the half, but again Kanyemba justified his selection ahead of regular Lucas Hashiti.
Another brilliant move by Ramblers saw Nelson Akwenye, playing a clever ball through to Jacobs on 50 minutes, who fooled the offside trap, loops Abiater ‘Fox’ Namunduga, to increase their advantage, 2-0.
Ramblers continued their good spell and three minutes later, John rightly protested to the referee after he was ruled offside, despite running onto his own ball.
Tigers, desperate to score, had the busy Shipahu racing to meet a Narib ball, but his first touch let him touch as the ball goes straight out, past the hands of the advancing Kanyemba.
On 64th minute, Bilizi attempts a volley from 20 metres out, before Tigers appealed for a penalty after Wesley Kinda came off worse from a challenge with Baisako.
Iipinge had a fine game in central defence for Tigers with the mercurial Newel Nanub just lacking his midas touch of appetizing passes, and the industrious Mervin Mbakera uncompromising as ever in midfield.
With 13 minutes before the end, Jacobs nearly registered a brace, with his well place chip-cross eluding Namunduga and hitting the cross-bar from about 21 yards far.
Kevin Bock found himself in an inviting position in the 86th minute from a corner, only for the defender to attempt a over-head kick that went right over. And at the end, Tigers can only blame themselves after some undirected successive missiles at goal were just as futile.
Ramblers 2 (Samson John 45 min, Pineas Jacobs 50 min) Vs. Tigers 0
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