Brave Gladiators beat Botswana 5-2

Thomalina Adams scored a hattrick as the Brave Gladiators comfortably beat Botswana 5-2 in a women’s friendly international soccer match at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Adams gave Namibia an early lead when she converted a penalty on 4 minutes, while further goals by Rita Williams on 30m and Lovisa Mulunga on 40m gave Namibia a comfortable 3-0 lead at halftime.

Adams completed her hat trick with two more second half goals as Namibia streaked into a 5-0 lead, before Botswana added two late consolation goals by Balothanyui Johannes and Refilwe Tholakele.

The match served as preparation for the 2014 African Women’s Championships and Namibia got off to a great start when they won a penalty after only two minutes after Rita Williams was fouled in the box. Adams coolly sent Botswana’s keeper the wrong way to give Namibia an early lead.

With Zenatha Coleman pulling the strings in midfield, and Vistorine Shangula and Memory Ngonda providing fine crosses from the wings, Namibia continued to attack and create chances.

Williams headed wide from a Noreses free kick, while Adams headed narrowly wide from a cross by Shangula.

Their efforts were rewarded on 30m when Williams pounced onto a loose ball and lobbed the ball over Botswana’s keeper into the net on 30m.

With halftime approaching Noreses scored a similar goal, also lobbing the ball into an empty net to put Namibia 3-0 ahead at the break.

Botswana launched some attacks in the second half, with Kitso Sheba and Refilwe Tholakele coming close, but Namibia’s defence stood firm, with Uerikondjera Kasaona, Lena Noreses and Lorraine Jossop in fine form.

Adams put Namibia 4-0 ahead on 71m when she slammed home a loose ball and then completed her hat trick when she stabbed in a cross by Stacey Naris eight minutes later.

Namibian substitute keeper Agnes Kauzuu brought off a stunning save from a free kick by Neo Masimola shortly after coming on, but Namibia’s concentration slipped as they conceded two late goals.

Balothanyi Johannes volleyed home a cross from the right wing on 84m, while Refilwe Tholakele dispossessed Naris to score from close range five minutes into injury time.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.