Benjamin counts on foreign-based stars 

Brave Warriors coach Collin Benjamin will be counting on his foreign-based stars when they take on Malawi and Sao Tome and Principe in two crucial Fifa World Cup qualifying matches in Francistown next weekend.

Benjamin has been preparing with a squad of Namibia-based players, but with local football still in recess, he says the players were still out of shape.

“We’ve been preparing for about three weeks now. The first two weeks were really just focused on endurance and fitness, because they were really out of shape, but that’s understandable. But I think we’re getting there and getting into our phases,” he says.

“Luckily all our guys playing outside of Namibia have been active. Joslin (Kamatuka) and Deon (Hotto) played last night, so that’s a plus, and we really count on them, their experience, and also their match fitness. Of the home-based players I’d say maybe 50% of them will make the final squad that will travel to Botswana on Sunday.

“There won’t be much time for friendly matches over there, so we really have to count on our foreign-based players,” he says.

Benjamin, however, is not too concerned, saying their form in recent matches was pleasing.

“If you look at the recent games we have played as well as our Cosafa Cup match against Malawi, I think we were defensively stable, and we were really good in that aspect.

“But it’s when we win the ball and have possession that we have to create chances and control the game, and that’s what the work this week is about,” he says.

With home matches in Namibia still banned due to inadequate stadiums, Namibia will now play their home matches in Francistown following an agreement between the Namibia Football Association (NFA) and the Botswana Football Association.

Their first match is against Malawi next Friday, 5 September, while they take on Sao Tome and Principe four days later.

It will be the third time that Namibia play Malawi this year after the Warriors beat them 1-0 in their first World Cup qualifier in Lilongwe, while they drew 0-0 in the Cosafa Cup.

Malawi are currently struggling in second last position on six points in group H of the World Cup qualifiers, but Benjamin says their position was deceptive and he would not underestimate them.

“Malawi is a really good team. The last qualifier they lost against Tunisia was literally because they got a red card, and then they conceded two goals in the final minutes, so they are really a quality side that showed in Tunis they can withstand the pressure.

“Also, if you look at their Cosafa Cup match against us, they really adapted to our formation and approach, so it shows their coach, Callisto Pasuwa, was really thinking and that their team is alive and adaptable. They are definitely not easy to play against, they are very physical, and they are good on the ball,” he says.

STARS VS CHULA CHULA CANCELLED

The Warriors’ preparations, meanwhile, suffered a setback when the NFA yesterday announced that the match between African Stars and Eeshoke Chuila Chula had been cancelled due to a lack of funds.

“The Brave Warriors World Cup campaign committee wishes to inform the football fraternity that the upcoming fundraising game between African Stars and Eeshoke Chula Chula has been cancelled due to a lack of sponsors,” the association said in a press release.

“The committee had anticipated that one or two sponsors would come on board to cover essential costs but this unfortunately did not materialise,” it said.

Only three players in the Brave Warriors squad would have played in that match, namely Charles Hambira and Vevengapi Mbuende of Stars and David Haingwafa of Chula Chula, but Benjamin says it will have a negative financial impact on the squad.

“That match was planned to be part of a fundraising drive for bonuses and motivation for the national players, to give them a bit more than what they normally get from the NFA. So with that match now being cancelled it means that it wont be possible to give them some extra money, which is a pity,” he says.

The NFA earlier announced that it would provide subsidised transport for Namibian fans at only N$200 for a return trip to Francistown to support the team, and Benjamin is calling on Namibian fans for their support.

“I honestly have to see it to believe it, but if we have support in the stadium, even if it’s 20, 30 or 100 people, it will be about accountability and it will mean a lot.

“Football is a game that’s full of emotions, so if I’m on the field and I know there are 200 Namibians there, I will need to be accountable and my emotions will normally come through.

“So if that was to happen, that would really be wonderful for the morale and the accountability, and just the pride of our players to know the nation is behind them,” he says.

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