Botes back for Warriors

FORMER Namibian captain Henrico Botes, will make a welcome return to the Brave Warriors squad against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Windhoek on June 6.

Botes, who turns out for Platinum Stars in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL), is expected to lead the attack for the Warriors in the Fifa-sanctioned international friendly which will be played at the Independence Stadium.Botes has not played for the national side for close to two years now and his inclusion will boost the attack of the Namibian side, which in recent matches has been inclined to play more conservatively.The former Ramblers hitman was named in the 25-man squad by coach Tom Saintfiet yesterday and will possibly be partnered by the likes of Wilko Risser (SV Eintracht), Razundara Tjikuzu (Instanbul Byuksehir) and Lazarus Kaimbi (Jomo Cosmos, SA) who are all foreign-based Namibian professionals.Saintfiet said he wants to see Botes in action and believes that he can add value to his front line, which has scored only one goal in their last three international matches.Also back in the fold is the no-nonsense Michael Pienaar who plays for Carara Kicks in South Africa, while others include Tjikuzu, who is based in Turkey, and Letu Shatimuene, who will cross over from Angola.LOUIS OUT Saintfiet excluded red-hot Black Africa predator Jerome Louis from his line-up, saying that he needed to see other strikers in action, as the leading premiership goal scorer has been called up five times already.Louis was left out ahead of other strikers such Eleven Arrows’ golden boy Rudolf Bester, the fast-paced Civics frontman Eslin Kamuhanga and the enterprising Heinrich Isaacs, who also turns out for Civics.Also excluded is the in-form Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) frontman Marco van Wyk, who according to Saintfiet also has to take a backseat because of the many premiership matches he has been involved in to date.Places in midfield are also a hot potato, with the Belgian mentor going for his regulars in Quinton Jacobs (Orlando Pirates), Rudi Louw (African Stars), Ninja Karongee (African Stars), Paulus Shipanga (Bay United, SA), while he also added Sidney Plaatjies who now plays for Maroka Swallows in the PSL.RIGID DEFENCE In defence, George Hummel (Jomo Cosmos), Hartman Toromba (Free State Stars), Richard Gariseb (Bidvest Wits) and Steven Goagab from Carara Kicks (all South African-based) are expected to add stability in defence.They will be joined by the locals Ivan Namaseb (Orlando Pirates), Nelson Geingob (Chief Santos) and SKW’s Ralph Ellinger. Saintfiet has decided to call up South African-based goalkeepers Athiel Mbaha (Maritzburg United) and Zico Shiningayamwe (Jomo Cosmos) who will vie for places with the young and agile Eleven Arrows goal minder Virgil Vries.Saintfiet confirmed that the friendly match against Egypt which was slated for May 26 has been called off, while there is still no indication if Namibia will play in another match on June 10 against Sudan.corry@namibian.com.na