By Michael Uugwanga
The Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup reaches its decisive climax this weekend, with both the men’s and women’s finals set to be staged at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek on 27 June.
The action begins in the women’s division at 09h00, where Julinho Athletic will face Windhoek City in the third-place playoff, before attention shifts to the main final at 13h00 between Mighty Gunners and former champions Khomas NamPol.
Julinho Athletic, who endured a slow start to the season before finishing strongly, will need to be at their best against a Windhoek City side widely regarded as one of the most improved teams in the FNB Women’s Super League (WSL).
Windhoek City also played a decisive role in ending Mighty Gunners’ title defence hopes in the league with a 0-0 draw, although Gunners responded emphatically with a 4-0 victory in the cup semi-finals.
In the women’s final, Mighty Gunners will be aiming to salvage silverware after narrowly missing out on the FNB WSL title on the final day of the season to FC Ongos Ladies. For Khomas NamPol, the stakes are equally high as they seek to end a trophy drought stretching back to 2017, when they last lifted the NFA Cup.
The men’s programme begins at 11h00 with the third-place playoff between former finalists Mighty Gunners and Okahandja United.
The main men’s final is scheduled for 16h00, featuring a highly anticipated clash between first-time finalists KK Palace and UNAM FC.
KK Palace, who were only promoted last season, have enjoyed a remark- able campaign and now stand on the brink of an historic cup triumph. UNAM FC, meanwhile, enter the final as one of the most unpredictable yet entertaining sides in the competition, boasting one of the youngest squads in the division.
Despite their contrasting journeys, both teams will be chasing a breakthrough moment to cap their seasons in style.
By the end of the day, no team, in either the men’s or women’s divisions, will finish the season with more than two major trophies.
The FNB Women’s Super League was won by FC Ongos Ladies, the Namibia Premiership title went to African Stars, while the NFA/Standard Bank Top 8 Cup was claimed by Mighty Gunners.
