The Epupa All Stars football team and Otjinene netball team won the inaugural Namibia Rural Sport Development Federation Winter Cup staged at Bobby Sissing Stadium in Windhoek on Sunday.

The competition attracted 11 football teams and 10 netball teams competing in the tournament worth N$35 000.

In the final, Epupa from the Kunene region defeated Otjombinde 5-4 on penalties, following a goalless draw in regulation time.

En route to the final, Epupa stunned Otjimbingwe 3-2 in the first semi-final while Otjombinde overcame Ovitoto by a solitary goal and booked their place in the final.

In addition to a trophy, Epupa pocketed N$11 000 plus 20 gold medals, while Otjombinde took home N$7 000 and 20 silver medals as runners-up.

Ovitoto and Otjimbingwe walked away with N$3 500 for coming third in the competition.

In the netball competition, Otjinene emerged as champions after beating their Epukiro counterparts 35-27.

Otjinene earlier defeated Ovitoto 32-26 while Epukiro beat Otjimbingue 30-17 in their semi-final encounter.

As champions, Otjinene, pocketed N$5 000, a trophy and 12 gold medals, while Epukiro went home with N$2 500 and 12 silver medals.

Ovitoto and Otjinene each received N$1 250 as semi-finalists.

Epupa head coach Never Ngombe attributes his team’s victory to the cooperation among the players and the “hunger to make history.”

“I have to thank the Almighty God, the players and supporters for this victory. Our preparations happened in a short period, so we are happy to be crowned the champions,” he says.

Otjinene netball coach Mbatero Tjatindi says her team’s triumph is as a result of hard work and commitment from the players.

“We are not new to winning these competitions and the support we got from our supporters played a huge role. We will continue pushing for more glory and make Otjinene proud.”

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