The Kavango West region locked horns with the Hardap region in the first match of the day for The Namibian Newspaper Cup 2023 semifinal stage . Both teams came into the match on the back of impressive performances in the previous matches and were eager to secure a place in the final of the prestigious tournament.
The match started at a frenetic pace, with both teams looking to stamp their authority early on. Kavango West region, in particular, started brightly, with their midfield maestros dictating the tempo of the game. Hardap region, on the other hand, looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with their pacey wingers causing problems for the Kavango West defence.
As the first half wore on, both teams began to settle into the game, and chances started to come thick and fast. However, neither team was able to convert their chances into goals, and the match reached the break goallessly.
The second half started in much the same vein as the first, with both teams playing with a sense of urgency. Just a few minutes after the break, Hardap region finally broke the deadlock, with Sakeus Thomas finding the back of the net.
However, the Kavango West region refused to give up, and they continued to push forward in search of an equalizer. Their persistence paid off when their deadly striker, Pius Kapwita, scored a stunning goal to level the scoreline.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, and the result meant that the tie had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out. Kavango West held their nerve in the shoot-out, and they beat Hardap 4 : 3 to book their place in the final of The Namibian Newspaper Cup 2023.
Read also: KavangoWest Road to Semifinal
It was a hard-fought victory for Kavango West, and their performance showed that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level. They will now face the winner of the second semifinal match between, Otjozondjupa vs Oshans Region.
Overall, The Namibian Newspaper Cup 2023 has been a fantastic tournament so far, with some excellent football on display. The final promises to be an exciting encounter and football fans across the country are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.