Under-20 stars on Samaria's radar

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISAWINDHOEKNamibia's senior national team coach Bobby Samaria has hinted at roping in some of the under-20 team players in the immediate future. This follows an impressive display from the under-20 side in the just-ended under-20 Cosafa tournament, where they reached the finals and qualified to the 2021 under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.The Namibians lost 1-0 to Mozambique in the final on Sunday. The performance of most of the Namibian players impressed many football fans, including the country's senior national team coach. Impressed “I would first of all like to congratulate all the players and the coaching staff of the under-20 team for an impressive job in South Africa.“As the senior coach, I watch the games and I must say that the boys were very impressive in their journey to reach the final and also to become the first team to qualify for Afcon at that level.“With this achievement and the way they played, I have definitely taken a few players into consideration and their call-ups could come sooner than expected,” Samaria said.Goalkeeper Ngatangue Ruhuka, defender Ngazikue Kandetu, forward Giovani Kaninab and captain Steven Damaseb are the players who could receive surprise call-ups to the senior national team.“It does not mean that they are the only players that did well, because I believe it was a team effort.“They however impressed me as a coach and would not mind introducing them to a senior level,” Samaria added.Down memory laneThe Brave Warriors coach compared the current situation with that of the 1998 crop of players.Most of the players in the national team that qualified for the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations came from an under-23 squad mentored by Peter Uberjahn.Ronnie Kanalelo, Ricardo Mannetti, Robert Nauseb, Mohamed Ouseb and many of the players that featured in what was regarded as one of the country's most talented Brave Warriors squad were all promoted from the under-23 team.Samaria also believes that it is important to get the players acquainted with the senior level at an early stage in order for them to gain experience from the start.“We can only have a great future if we start now, and calling up these players do not mean that they will automatically make the squad.“It is also beneficial to give them a feel of the senior squad and to give them the necessary knowledge they need,” Samaria said. With some of his senior players already approaching their thirties, now will be a good time for Samaria or the Namibia Football Association to start planning for the near future.Wesley Katjiteo (30), Elmo Kimbundu (27), Emilio Martin (30), Larry Horaeb (28), Hendrik Somaeb (28), Gustav Isaak (31), Panduleni Nekundi (32) and Pat- Navin Uanivi (33) are among the local players who don't have many years left at the top level.The Brave Warriors international players who are close to or in their thirties include Deon Hotto (28), Chris Katjiukua (33) and Ananias Gebhardt (33).Goalkeeper Virgil Vries is 31, but goalkeepers generally play at the highest level until their forties.

Under-20 stars on Samaria's radar

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-04-07

Please login to leave a comment

Under-20 stars on Samaria's radar

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-04-07

Please login to leave a comment

Login