Keetmanshoop: The Kavango West football team says 2026 will be their year to lift the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, which is set to take place in Keetmanshoop in the ||Kharas Region.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the 24th edition of the annual tournament is scheduled for 03 to 06 April 2026 and will bring together Under-20 (U20) football and netball teams from all 14 regions of Namibia. In the football division, Kavango West have been drawn in Group B alongside Hardap, Omaheke, and Otjozondjupa.

Speaking to Nampa on Tuesday, team manager Eddy Hauwombo said the squad has been working diligently and is determined to go all the way this year. 'Two years ago in Omaheke, we did not progress beyond the group stages. However, last year in Outjo, Kunene Region, we reached the final but lost to Kunene. This time, our objective is clear, to reach the final and be crowned champions,' he said.

Hauwombo added that team morale is high, with the players showing promising form in recent matches. 'We have played three matches so far, all of which ended in draws. The squad is well balanced as we have retained six players from last year's team,' he stated.

He further revealed that the team's management has developed a structured plan aimed at ensuring success, with the current squad selected from a pool of 35 players who attended a training camp. 'Some of the players who were not selected still have a chance to represent the region next year. During the camp, we focused on exposing these young players to competitive situations so that they can return better prepared and with a clearer understanding of expectations,' Hauwombo said.

Since its inception in 2001, the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup has been widely regarded as the pinnacle of youth sports development in the country, serving as a vital pathway between grassroots talent and national representation.