Brave Warriors’ first matches ‘an eye-opener’
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
WINDHOEK
Brave Warriors coach Bobby Samaria says the past two friendly matches served as an eye-opener for the coach and players.
Namibia were held 0-0 by Lesotho on Saturday before playing to another 1-1 draw against neighbours Botswana in South Africa on Sunday.
“I am glad that we played our first two competitive games and the first one was an eye-opener because we made a couple of mistakes although we did not concede a goal in that match.
“The team was not really that good against Lesotho but the good thing was that they kept a clean sheet,” Samaria said.
The coach however felt that the performance against Botswana in their second competitive match was better.
Samaria’s team had to come from behind to salvage a draw against the Zebras.
“Sunday’s performance was a much better one in terms of the ability to go through the thirds.
“Secondly, we had more shots towards goal and a number of set pieces that we created for ourselves.”
The matches served as preparation for the three teams, who will be in action in the Cosafa Cup.
The Brave Warriors will play Senegal in their opening match at the Cosafa Cup on Thursday at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).
Namibia will then play Zimbabwe on 11 July at the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Stadium before concluding their group C clashes with a tie against Mozambique four days later at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium.
The top teams from the three groups plus the best-placed runners-up will then compete in the semi-finals of the tournament on 16 July at the NMB Stadium with the final set for 18 July at the same venue.
The third-place playoff game is scheduled for 15 July.
“We still have a couple of days left to work on our tactical plan but Sunday’s match was more of an eye on how we want to play against Senegal.
“Senegal is a top-ranked team and we are not oblivious to the difference of class, but us being Namibians, we will play with our hearts,” Samaria said.
The Brave Warriors coach has trimmed his squad down to 25 players ahead of the 2021 Cosafa Cup, taking place in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, from 6-18 July.
Final Cosafa Cup Brave Warriors are: Loydt Kazapua, Kamaijanda Ndisiro, Kennedy Amutenya, Larry Horaeb, Ananias Gebhardt, Immanuel Heita, Denzel Haoseb, Ivan Kamberipa, Emilio Martin, Approcious Petrus, Charles Hambira, Dynamo Fredericks, Ambrosius Amseb, Wendel Rudath, Absalom Iimbondi, Marcel Papama, Prins Tjiueza, Willy Stephanus, Alfeus Handura, Wesley Katjiteo, Elmo Kambindu, Joslin Kamatuka, Isaskar Gurirab, Junior Theophilus and Salomon Omseb.
WINDHOEK
Brave Warriors coach Bobby Samaria says the past two friendly matches served as an eye-opener for the coach and players.
Namibia were held 0-0 by Lesotho on Saturday before playing to another 1-1 draw against neighbours Botswana in South Africa on Sunday.
“I am glad that we played our first two competitive games and the first one was an eye-opener because we made a couple of mistakes although we did not concede a goal in that match.
“The team was not really that good against Lesotho but the good thing was that they kept a clean sheet,” Samaria said.
The coach however felt that the performance against Botswana in their second competitive match was better.
Samaria’s team had to come from behind to salvage a draw against the Zebras.
“Sunday’s performance was a much better one in terms of the ability to go through the thirds.
“Secondly, we had more shots towards goal and a number of set pieces that we created for ourselves.”
The matches served as preparation for the three teams, who will be in action in the Cosafa Cup.
The Brave Warriors will play Senegal in their opening match at the Cosafa Cup on Thursday at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).
Namibia will then play Zimbabwe on 11 July at the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Stadium before concluding their group C clashes with a tie against Mozambique four days later at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium.
The top teams from the three groups plus the best-placed runners-up will then compete in the semi-finals of the tournament on 16 July at the NMB Stadium with the final set for 18 July at the same venue.
The third-place playoff game is scheduled for 15 July.
“We still have a couple of days left to work on our tactical plan but Sunday’s match was more of an eye on how we want to play against Senegal.
“Senegal is a top-ranked team and we are not oblivious to the difference of class, but us being Namibians, we will play with our hearts,” Samaria said.
The Brave Warriors coach has trimmed his squad down to 25 players ahead of the 2021 Cosafa Cup, taking place in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, from 6-18 July.
Final Cosafa Cup Brave Warriors are: Loydt Kazapua, Kamaijanda Ndisiro, Kennedy Amutenya, Larry Horaeb, Ananias Gebhardt, Immanuel Heita, Denzel Haoseb, Ivan Kamberipa, Emilio Martin, Approcious Petrus, Charles Hambira, Dynamo Fredericks, Ambrosius Amseb, Wendel Rudath, Absalom Iimbondi, Marcel Papama, Prins Tjiueza, Willy Stephanus, Alfeus Handura, Wesley Katjiteo, Elmo Kambindu, Joslin Kamatuka, Isaskar Gurirab, Junior Theophilus and Salomon Omseb.
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