Battle of the champions

African Stars and Black Africa will renew their rivalry when they meet in the Standard Bank Namibia Super Cup on 30 August at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, to usher in the 2014/15 domestic football season. In April this year, Standard Bank Namibia in conjunction with the Namibia Football Association (NFA) launched the Standard Bank Super Cup. Through this initiative Standard Bank will inject N$3 million into football over a three year period. The first edition of the Cup will be contested between Namibian league champions (Black Africa) and the Bidvest Namibia Cup champions (African Stars) on Saturday, 30 August with kick-off set for 16h00 at the cathedral of local football, the Sam Nujoma Stadium. Namibia Football Association Secretary General Barry Rukoro was excited about the prospects and said, “It will be the first of its kind with so at stake and we are all looking forward to it. The league is now concluded and we have the two teams confirmed to partake in the inaugural edition and it does not get better or bigger than Stars versus BA. Another chance to a great football spectacle and advert for local football.”

The once-off match winners walk away N$500 000 richer and the runners-up N$200 000 and as expected there will be a lot of marketing and promotions in the build up for the match and Standard Bank’s Head of Marketing Thaddeus Maswahu elaborated. “It will be an event not to forget and we are pulling all the stops to make sure it goes down as one of the best days of local football. We plan to start the day as early as possible with a lot of entertainment in the build up and also we will be having promotions to create the necessary atmosphere at the football match. The sports media journalists will have a chance predict the winner and walk away with at least N$ 2 500 and many more for the general public,” said Maswahu. Maswahu added that the selection of the venue could not have been better. He said, “We deliberately chose the Sam Nujoma Stadium because we know where the people who loves the game lives and we know what atmosphere the stadium can produce with the supporters so close to the action. I have no doubt the two teams will deliver on the pitch.” The two teams will also be presented with a special playing kit for the encounter. Standard Bank Namibia Chief Executive Officer Junias Mungunda spoke about the impact football had, and called it a powerful unifier. “Football does not only bring Namibians together under one purpose, but also gives hope and belief to the supporters and players across the divide of our great nation,” said Mungunda.