Brave Warriors into camp for Libya tie

THE Brave Warriors players went into camp yesterday to prepare for their African Nations Cup qualifier against Libya in Windhoek on June 2.

Namibian head coach Ben Bamfuchile called up 26 players for a training camp which will be held for the next two and a half weeks. Bamfuchile called up seven foreign-based players, which include a goalkeeper, two defenders, three midfielders and a striker.Meraai Swartbooi, who plays for Angolan premiership side Premeiro de Agosto, is likely to be one of the leading strikers for the Warriors, as the team has struggled to find a key hitman since the suspension of Henrico Botes late last year.Botes is possibly the only striker in the country who plays with purpose in front of goal, but poor ball supply also made his work difficult, as he had to fall back too deep at times, especially during the Cosafa Castle Cup and in the qualifier against Ethiopia, both played last year.Abisai Shiningayamwe (Zico Pulus) who guards the goal for Jomo Cosmos in South Africa, will join Athiel Mbaha, who is currently unattached to any club, and SKW’s Heribert Kapeng for the goalkeeping post.Hartman Toromba of Black Leopards in South Africa and George Hummel of Moroka Swallows will be the two foreign-based defenders.The midfielders from outside the country include Oliver Risser, who plays for Bonner SC in Germany, and Robert Nauseb, who turns out for Santos in South Africa.Risser has not played for the national team since 2003 under coach Max Johnson.He will fight for his position against several local-based players such as Victor Helu, Johannes Seibeb and Letu Shatimuene.Nauseb is one of the most experienced players in the side but he too has to prove himself to keep a place in the side.Collin Benjamin is also expected to join the team from his German Bundesliga side Hamburg SV.Benjamin, like Nauseb, has to lift his performance.They both have a wealth of experience on the international front, while their professional approach also puts them a step ahead of the locals.Bamfuchile has not included Quinton Jacobs, who plays in Norway, nor has he included frontman Razundara Tjikuzu, who is now playing in Turkey.All the foreign-based players are joining the training squad on May 20.The technical staff called up African Stars defender Mali Ngarizemo and their midfielder, Johannes Seibeb, but the duo did not join the camp as they are preparing for the MTC NFA Cup final, which will be decided in Windhoek on Saturday.The Orlando Pirates dribbling ace, midfielder Patrick Jagger, was also exempted from the training group, but his team-mate and striker Etienne Beukes will be required to be in the camp.Defending champions Pirates are taking on Stars in the final of the competition for the first time.Other inclusions in the side are the identical twin brothers Tara and Muna Katupose, who both do duty for lower-division side Epupa Eleven from the Kunene Region.Eddy Masweu from Namib Chiefs also got the nod, while several other players such as Cascas Angula, who played impressively for Oshakati City this season, missed the boat.Oshakati City ended second in the premiership this season, but none of their players have been considered for the training squad.Civics have three players in the side – defender Franklin April, midfielder Jamu Ngatjizeko and midfielder Brian Brendell.Civics midfielder Rudi Louw has not been considered as he has picked up an ankle injury that is likely to keep him on the sidelines until next season.The midfielder has greatly contributed to his team, which recently won the league title for the third time.Another player who was called up is Ramblers defender and captain Michael Pienaar, but his team-mates Bradley Wermann and Costa Khaiseb missed out this time around.Tigers defender Jeremia Baisako and Blue Waters defender Gotlieb Nakuta have all received the nod, while Black Africa striker Jerome Louis has also been called up, as well as midfielder Rudolph Bester from Eleven Arrows.Bamfuchile called up seven foreign-based players, which include a goalkeeper, two defenders, three midfielders and a striker.Meraai Swartbooi, who plays for Angolan premiership side Premeiro de Agosto, is likely to be one of the leading strikers for the Warriors, as the team has struggled to find a key hitman since the suspension of Henrico Botes late last year.Botes is possibly the only striker in the country who plays with purpose in front of goal, but poor ball supply also made his work difficult, as he had to fall back too deep at times, especially during the Cosafa Castle Cup and in the qualifier against Ethiopia, both played last year. Abisai Shiningayamwe (Zico Pulus) who guards the goal for Jomo Cosmos in South Africa, will join Athiel Mbaha, who is currently unattached to any club, and SKW’s Heribert Kapeng for the goalkeeping post.Hartman Toromba of Black Leopards in South Africa and George Hummel of Moroka Swallows will be the two foreign-based defenders.The midfielders from outside the country include Oliver Risser, who plays for Bonner SC in Germany, and Robert Nauseb, who turns out for Santos in South Africa.Risser has not played for the national team since 2003 under coach Max Johnson.He will fight for his position against several local-based players such as Victor Helu, Johannes Seibeb and Letu Shatimuene.Nauseb is one of the most experienced players in the side but he too has to prove himself to keep a place in the side.Collin Benjamin is also expected to join the team from his German Bundesliga side Hamburg SV.Benjamin, like Nauseb, has to lift his performance.They both have a wealth of experience on the international front, while their professional approach also puts them a step ahead of the locals.Bamfuchile has not included Quinton Jacobs, who plays in Norway, nor has he included frontman Razundara Tjikuzu, who is now playing in Turkey.All the foreign-based players are joining the training squad on May 20.The technical staff called up African Stars defender Mali Ngarizemo and their midfielder, Johannes Seibeb, but the duo did not join the camp as they are preparing for the MTC NFA Cup final, which will be decided in Windhoek on Saturday.The Orlando Pirates dribbling ace, midfielder Patrick Jagger, was also exempted from the training group, but his team-mate and striker Etienne Beukes will be required to be in the camp.Defending champions Pirates are taking on Stars in the final of the competition for the first time.Other inclusions in the side are the identical twin brothers Tara and Muna Katupose, who both do duty for lower-division side Epupa Eleven from the Kunene Region.Eddy Masweu from Namib Chiefs also got the nod, while several other players such as Cascas Angula, who played impressively for Oshakati City this season, missed the boat.Oshakati City ended second in the premiership this season, but none of their players have been considered for the training squad.Civics have three players in the side – defender Franklin April, midfielder Jamu Ngatjizeko and midfielder Brian Brendell.Civics midfielder Rudi Louw has not been considered as he has picked up an ankle injury that is likely to keep him on the sidelines until next season.The midfielder has greatly contributed to his team, which recently won the league title for the third time.Another player who was called up is Ramblers defender and captain Michael Pienaar, but his team-mates Bradley Wermann and Costa Khaiseb missed out this time around.Tigers defender Jeremia Baisako and Blue Waters defender Gotlieb Nakuta have all received the nod, while Black Africa striker Jerome Louis has also been called up, as well as midfielder Rudolph Bester from Eleven Arrows.