Brave Warriors fall to Botswana’s Zebras

NAMIBIA produced an uncoordinated display that led to a 1-0 loss to Botswana for the third consecutive time in the Cosafa Castle Cup played at the National Stadium in Gaborone on Saturday.

Namibia went on to beat Lesotho 3-2 in a third-place playoff yesterday. In yesterday’s match, Muna Katupose played a blinder as he scored the first goal and at the same time made two assists which saw Civics midfielder Brian Brendell scoring twice.On Saturday, Namibia left it too late to capitalise on the chances they had, while the substitutions did not come in at the right time.Team captain Robert Nauseb, who played in the competition for the eleventh year, had a disastrous match against Botswana despite being in confident mood on Friday at a pre-match presser.Nauseb said they were in Botswana to play football and to win the match at all costs.On the substitutions, Jamunovandu Ngatjizeko should have started the game, while it could have been more useful to use Meraai Swartbooi on the left wing and putting Rudolph Bester in a central attacking position with Gerson Katjatenja.Bester did not make an impact on the day, while Katjatenja on more than one occasion failed with the first touch.The South Africans-based midfielder struggled to get his game in shape after he failed to put through some simple passes, while he also had difficulty in containing the opposition defensively.But on Saturday, the odds were against the Namibians as Michael Mogaladi headed in the only goal for their side after a free kick driven in from outside the box.Namibia’s Oliver Risser gave no chance to dangerman Pontsho Moloi when he fouled him just metres from the box, resulting in a free kick that led to Botswana’s goal.Botswana’s Dipsy Selolwane who turns out for South African premiership side Jomo Cosmos, was shut out from the game and had little room to make his trademark silky dribbling manoeuvres into the box.Namibian central defender Mali Ngarizemo, youngster Chris Katjiukua and Franklin April proved their worth at the back, but at times their marking was not impressive as they were running into each other.Athiel Mbaha shined in goal and his tall figure was an advantage throughout as he managed to bring down several threatening high balls.In midfield, Letu Shatimuene had a great first half, while Namibia’s Player of the Season, Rudolph Bester, failed in three attempts to put Namibia on the scoreboard.Meraai Swartbooi launched a missile from at least 25 metres from goal in the dying minutes of the game, just to be tipped over the crossbar by the experienced Modiri Marumo, but it was too late for the Namibians who came with high expectations to upset Botswana in their own backyard.In 2005, Namibia drew one-all against Botswana at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek, but lost on penalties, while in 2003 they were beaten 1-0, at the same venue.This time, it was no exception for the side which is currently going through a transformation phase after the appointment of coach Ben Bamfuchile.Despite the loss, Namibia will be looking at qualifying for the African Nations Cup when they play against Libya in an away match.In yesterday’s match, Muna Katupose played a blinder as he scored the first goal and at the same time made two assists which saw Civics midfielder Brian Brendell scoring twice.On Saturday, Namibia left it too late to capitalise on the chances they had, while the substitutions did not come in at the right time.Team captain Robert Nauseb, who played in the competition for the eleventh year, had a disastrous match against Botswana despite being in confident mood on Friday at a pre-match presser.Nauseb said they were in Botswana to play football and to win the match at all costs.On the substitutions, Jamunovandu Ngatjizeko should have started the game, while it could have been more useful to use Meraai Swartbooi on the left wing and putting Rudolph Bester in a central attacking position with Gerson Katjatenja.Bester did not make an impact on the day, while Katjatenja on more than one occasion failed with the first touch.The South Africans-based midfielder struggled to get his game in shape after he failed to put through some simple passes, while he also had difficulty in containing the opposition defensively.But on Saturday, the odds were against the Namibians as Michael Mogaladi headed in the only goal for their side after a free kick driven in from outside the box.Namibia’s Oliver Risser gave no chance to dangerman Pontsho Moloi when he fouled him just metres from the box, resulting in a free kick that led to Botswana’s goal.Botswana’s Dipsy Selolwane who turns out for South African premiership side Jomo Cosmos, was shut out from the game and had little room to make his trademark silky dribbling manoeuvres into the box.Namibian central defender Mali Ngarizemo, youngster Chris Katjiukua and Franklin April proved their worth at the back, but at times their marking was not impressive as they were running into each other.Athiel Mbaha shined in goal and his tall figure was an advantage throughout as he managed to bring down several threatening high balls.In midfield, Letu Shatimuene had a great first half, while Namibia’s Player of the Season, Rudolph Bester, failed in three attempts to put Namibia on the scoreboard.Meraai Swartbooi launched a missile from at least 25 metres from goal in the dying minutes of the game, just to be tipped over the crossbar by the experienced Modiri Marumo, but it was too late for the Namibians who came with high expectations to upset Botswana in their own backyard.In 2005, Namibia drew one-all against Botswana at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek, but lost on penalties, while in 2003 they were beaten 1-0, at the same venue.This time, it was no exception for the side which is currently going through a transformation phase after the appointment of coach Ben Bamfuchile.Despite the loss, Namibia will be looking at qualifying for the African Nations Cup when they play against Libya in an away match.