Warriors gear up for Senegal clash

The Brave Warriors will go to Senegal aiming to surprise their host in the 2017 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group K qualifiers match on 3 September.Although the team is out of the running for the 2017 event, the team will be hoping to use this match as preparation for the 2019 Afcon qualifiers.Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti said the team was eager to prove a point.“I believe in defying the odds and this game gives us a chance to better history,” he said.“Senegal has been dominant over our team and we now have a chance to go there and make sure we do better than the last time we lost 2-0 at home against them,” Mannetti stated.To ensure the team has the best chance of competing, the coach has included repented defender Chris Katjiukua and goalkeeper Virgil Vries in his 20-man squad.There is also place in the team for injury returnees Da Costa Angula and Petrus Shitembi.“Chris and Virgil have shown remorse and they are back but I must reiterate that we will not tolerate any ill-discipline in this team,” Mannetti said.Shitembi was injured on the eve of the 2016 Cosafa Senior Cup hosted by Namibia, while Angula played in the quarterfinal defeat to Botswana before injury ruled him out of the rest of tournament.“90% of the players I have are from the Cosafa team and all these players lack match fitness. I have been in contact with the coaches where they are training and hence I start now with intense training before heading to Pretoria to the High Performance Centre before we depart for Dakar. Project 2019 officially continues now,” Mannetti declared.Thailand-based duo Lazarus Kaimbi and Sydney Urikhob were not considered, as Mannetti feels he has enough stock to work with in the attacking positions. Defender Willem Mwedihanga, who is clubless after agreeing to end his contract with South Africa’s University of Pretoria, is yet to announce his availability.“I believe in what I have to work with at the moment. Absalom Iimbondi, Oswaldo Xamseb and Itamunua Keimuine came in and worked very hard during Cosafa and I feel they have the drive to succeed. “Willem is still to come back to me and inform if he is ready to play. He was tired last time out and we respected his decision. We are in a special situation since it’s off season still but once the leagues start and you don’t have a club, you are out,” explained Mannetti. Denzil Haoseb will miss the clash due to suspension.The locally based players will train at the NFA Technical Centre until Thursday before leaving for Pretoria to join the South African-based players.The full squad will then depart for Dakar on 1 September and return home on 5 September.Brave Warriors squad:Goalkeepers: Max Mbaeva (Golden Arrows, South Africa), Virgil Vries (Maritzburg United, SA), Defenders: Da Costa Angula (Unattached), Chris Katjiukua (Golden Arrows, SA) Ferdinand Karongee (Tigers), Tiberius Lombard (Tura Magic), Edmund Kambanda(Unam), Oswaldo Xamseb (Tura Magic), Ananias Gebhardt (Jomo Cosmos) Africa), Larry Horaeb (Black Africa) and Dynamo Fredericks (Black Africa)Midfielders: Deon Hotto (Bloemfontein Celtic, SA), Ronald Ketjijere (African Stars), Petrus Shitembi (Unattached), Absalom Iimbondi (Tigers) and Wangu Gome (Bidvest Wits, SA)Strikers: Benson Shilongo (Platinum Stars), Hendrick Somaeb (Unattached), Itamunua Keimuine (Tura Magic) and Peter Shalulile (Highland Parks).NFA.ORG.NA

Warriors gear up for Senegal clash

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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Warriors gear up for Senegal clash

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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