We have to win - Coleman
We have to win - Coleman

We have to win - Coleman

Limba Mupetami
Brave Gladiators will play Zimbabwe in a 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations first round qualifier match at Sam Nujoma Stadium this afternoon.

Gladiator's poster girl, Zenatha Coleman, said the team has come a long way and they need to achieve something.

“We had a great experience at the tournament in 2014, but now we need to push for qualification. We have to win and then travel to Harare with a chance, because they will be tough over there with their supporters cheering them on,” Coleman said.

She will be among three foreign-based players who are expected to rally the team to victory when they face the visitors.

Coleman, who plies her trade at Real Zaragoza in Spain, Veweziwa Kotjipati, who is based in Germany and plays for Tus Lipperode, and Annoushka Kordom, who is doing exceptionally well for Corbon Warriors in United States, are expected to lead from the front.

Captain Mamie Kasaona said it is up to the players to make the nation proud as their preparations went well. She further urged football lovers to fill the stadium.

Coach Brian Isaacs said the competition for places is healthy, despite the fact that he did not have a broad base to select from, due to the absence of a competitive league.

He further stressed he has a core group of players who will form part of the stating 11, but they will continue looking at the rest of the group to assess who will make it into the starting line-up.

Gladiators will jet out to Zimbabwe immediately after the match today to prepare for the Sunday clash.

The winner will advance to the second round, where either Tanzania or Zambia awaits. The eventual winner will book their ticket for the finals in Ghana, which takes place between 17 November and 1 December.

This tournament doubles as the African qualifiers for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The top three teams will qualify for the World Cup in France.

The squad is as follows: Melissa Matheus, Agnes Kauzuu, Uerikondjera Kasaona, Ndapewa Katuta, Ester Amukwaya, Lovisa Mulunga, Eddelsisingh Naris, Stacey Naris, Lorraine Jossob, Elmarie Fredericks, Tomalina Adams, Juliana Blou, Anna-Marie Shikusho, Annoushka Kordom, Beverly Uueziua, Veweziwa Kotjipati, Millicent Hikuam, Zenatha Coleman, Memory Ngonda, and Twelikondjela Amukoto.

The match kicks off at 18:00 and entrance is N$10.

-Additional reporting NAMPA

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-20

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