Knee injury rocks Pieters
Namibia's under-20 national team have their sights set on producing great results, despite injury concerns in the camp.
Namibia's women under-20 defensive midfielder Sharon Pieters has been ruled out of Sunday's clash against Botswana, after picking up a knee injury.
The Young Gladiators have been pitted against Botswana in a Fifa U-20 Women's World Cup qualifier over two legs.
The first leg will be played in Windhoek this Sunday, with the return leg slated for Botswana at the end of the month.
A statement released by the Namibia Football Association (NFA) yesterday said Pieters' services will be missed during the crucial qualifier.
“Sharon will be a big miss, surely, but we have to move on and plan without her,” the statement said.
The team's head coach Mamie Kasaona told the NFA that she remains optimistic about their chances.
“We must keep in mind that we are playing against a strong team, because Botswana is a stronger nation than Namibia.
“They consistently partake in CAF youth competitions and have won several trophies,” Kasaona said.
She, however, added there is a lot of strength and eagerness to learn and play within her crop of players.
She believes her young team will be able to secure good results if they continue in this spirit.
Entrance to the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Sunday will be free and the NFA urges spectators to rally behind the team.
The World Cup, which has been contested by u-20 national teams since 2002, will be hosted by Panama and Costa Rica in August.
Namibia have never played in the football showpiece and are eager to make history by qualifying for the first time.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
The Young Gladiators have been pitted against Botswana in a Fifa U-20 Women's World Cup qualifier over two legs.
The first leg will be played in Windhoek this Sunday, with the return leg slated for Botswana at the end of the month.
A statement released by the Namibia Football Association (NFA) yesterday said Pieters' services will be missed during the crucial qualifier.
“Sharon will be a big miss, surely, but we have to move on and plan without her,” the statement said.
The team's head coach Mamie Kasaona told the NFA that she remains optimistic about their chances.
“We must keep in mind that we are playing against a strong team, because Botswana is a stronger nation than Namibia.
“They consistently partake in CAF youth competitions and have won several trophies,” Kasaona said.
She, however, added there is a lot of strength and eagerness to learn and play within her crop of players.
She believes her young team will be able to secure good results if they continue in this spirit.
Entrance to the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Sunday will be free and the NFA urges spectators to rally behind the team.
The World Cup, which has been contested by u-20 national teams since 2002, will be hosted by Panama and Costa Rica in August.
Namibia have never played in the football showpiece and are eager to make history by qualifying for the first time.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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