Football: Cosafa Castle Cup – Group C-Man-of-the-match Sopha impressed the Namibians |29 July 2006

Today is exactly a week after The Pirates beat hosts Namibia 4-2 on penalties after the game had ended 1-1 after full time in the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Castle Cup group C encounter played at the newly constructed Sam Nujoma Stadium on the outskirts of Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia.

The Pirates then lost 0-2 to Zambia in the group C final on the following day to miss out on progressing to the semifinal proper.

The Pirates’ performance has done a lot of good to Seychelles football which is presently enjoying its brightest spell on Fifa’s world ranking following their good showing in Namibia and the two wins in the Tri-Nation tournament organised here to celebrate the country’s 30th anniversary of Independence.

Sopha’s impressive display against Namibia was not the only time he has been very good in the Seychelles goal.

The experienced Seychelles custodian stopped a Namibian penalty to tip the balance in Seychelles’ favour during the shoot-out but it was his flair and agility that convinced the organisers to reward him with the man-of-the-match trophy and 2,000 rands.

 “It was my ability to deal with corners and crosses that impressed the Namibians the most,” he told Sports Nation.

He added that many people said that I played an important role in keeping the score low against Namibia and thus handing then a defeat at home.

Sopha was his usual self in the second match against Zambia the next day, but a lackluster performance by the outfield players meant he was beaten twice.

“The players were tired after having played Namibia the day before,” he said.

 “We are yet to get use to the idea of playing twice in two days,” 31-year-old Sopha added.

This is not the first time that the goalkeeper has been rewarded for his excellent ability to stop shots. In 2001, he was called to play for an Africa team after a series of good performances worthy of a spot in between the post of any team on the continent.

Sopha is one of the country’s most talented players who have yet to fulfill their ambition of playing abroad.  

G. J.