Botes out for Cosafa Cup

THE Brave Warriors attack this weekend will be led by African Stars’ young striker Gerson Katjatenja in the absence of international striker Henrico Botes, caretaker coach Ronnie Kanalelo said yesterday.

Botes could not be released by his new club Silver Stars in South Africa, as they are currently in pre-season training before the league in that country kicks off next month. Botes, who since his suspension last year did not kick a ball for the Warriors, will be a major loss to the national team, which has been struggling to find a consistent goal scorer.But Kanalelo, who was confirmed as the caretaker coach this week in the absence of head coach Ben Bamfuchile due to illness, does not see a problem with the absence of Botes.”We have an all-out striker in Gerson Katjatenja.He is one player that has not been noticed in a long time and I have watched him play.He is a straight-forward centre forward, physically strong and he can also go into challenges,” said Kanalelo.He said they would also have a different approach for the game since Botswana will be attacking, as they are playing at home.”We have a different approach, as it will be a fast match.We will have to take the game to Botswana and will not allow them to come at us,” said Kanalelo, who also led the Warriors to Malawi about three weeks ago where they recorded a 2-1 win.Kanalelo also confirmed that current clubless goalkeeper Athiel Mbaha will be employed between the sticks in the absence of Abisa Shiningayamwe, who also has club commitment at his South African premiership club, Black Leopards.Kanalelo said Namibia generally has a lack of goalkeepers at the top level and will have to go with the ones who are experienced, irrespective of whether they are involved in competitive matches or not.”For this match, we will go with Mbaha as he is currently our best choice,” he said.The other goalkeeper in the side is Ephraim Tjihonge, who also plays for Black Leopards in South Africa.The other two South African-based players who will face Botswana are midfielder Robert Nauseb of Santos and defender Hartman Toromba, who also turns out for Black Leopards.Angolan-based Letu Shatimuene and Meraai Swartbooi, who turn out for Premiero de Agosto, will also be in the team, while midfielder Oliver Risser, who plays for Bonner FC, will fly in from Frankfurt, Germany, to join the team in Johannesburg.Frontman Sidney Plaatjies, who plays for Jomo Cosmos, has been dropped, while midfielder Collin Benjamin will also not be available due to club commitments at Hamburg SV in Germany.The technical staff has decided on 18 players in total, while they will keep Tara Katupose and Eddy Simenda on stand-by.Namibia will meet Botswana in the second match on Saturday, after Angola and Lesotho’s match, with the two winners to play against each other on Sunday to determine the semi-finalist who will go through to the next round.The team to Botswana was announced as follows: Athiel Mbaha, Ephraim Tjihonge, Gottlieb Nakuta, Mali Ngarizemo, Franklin April, Jeremia Baisako, Jamu Ngatjizeko, Brian Brendell, Patrick Jagger, Rudolf Bester, Gerson Katjatenja, Muna Katupose, Chris Katjiukua, Robert Nauseb (captain), Hartman Toromba, Letu Shatimuene, Meraai Swartbooi and Oliver Risser.Botes, who since his suspension last year did not kick a ball for the Warriors, will be a major loss to the national team, which has been struggling to find a consistent goal scorer.But Kanalelo, who was confirmed as the caretaker coach this week in the absence of head coach Ben Bamfuchile due to illness, does not see a problem with the absence of Botes.”We have an all-out striker in Gerson Katjatenja.He is one player that has not been noticed in a long time and I have watched him play.He is a straight-forward centre forward, physically strong and he can also go into challenges,” said Kanalelo.He said they would also have a different approach for the game since Botswana will be attacking, as they are playing at home.”We have a different approach, as it will be a fast match.We will have to take the game to Botswana and will not allow them to come at us,” said Kanalelo, who also led the Warriors to Malawi about three weeks ago where they recorded a 2-1 win.Kanalelo also confirmed that current clubless goalkeeper Athiel Mbaha will be employed between the sticks in the absence of Abisa Shiningayamwe, who also has club commitment at his South African premiership club, Black Leopards.Kanalelo said Namibia generally has a lack of goalkeepers at the top level and will have to go with the ones who are experienced, irrespective of whether they are involved in competitive matches or not.”For this match, we will go with Mbaha as he is currently our best choice,” he said.The other goalkeeper in the side is Ephraim Tjihonge, who also plays for Black Leopards in South Africa.The other two South African-based players who will face Botswana are midfielder Robert Nauseb of Santos and defender Hartman Toromba, who also turns out for Black Leopards.Angolan-based Letu Shatimuene and Meraai Swartbooi, who turn out for Premiero de Agosto, will also be in the team, while midfielder Oliver Risser, who plays for Bonner FC, will fly in from Frankfurt, Germany, to join the team in Johannesburg.Frontman Sidney Plaatjies, who plays for Jomo Cosmos, has been dropped, while midfielder Collin Benjamin will also not be available due to club commitments at Hamburg SV in Germany.The technical staff has decided on 18 players in total, while they will keep Tara Katupose and Eddy Simenda on stand-by.Namibia will meet Botswana in the second match on Saturday, after Angola and Lesotho’s match, with the two winners to play against each other on Sunday to determine the semi-finalist who will go through to the next round.The team to Botswana was announced as follows: Athiel Mbaha, Ephraim Tjihonge, Gottlieb Nakuta, Mali Ngarizemo, Franklin April, Jeremia Baisako, Jamu Ngatjizeko, Brian Brendell, Patrick Jagger, Rudolf Bester, Gerson Katjatenja, Muna Katupose, Chris Katjiukua, Robert Nauseb (captain), Hartman Toromba, Letu Shatimuene, Meraai Swartbooi and Oliver Risser.