Despite facing two world class teams in Group A of their maiden appearance at the TN Mobile CAF Women Championship, the much improved Brave Gladiators have a chance to go all the way starting with a positive result against Zambia on Saturday afternoon.
After the team’s training session on Tuesday morning, Namibia Football Association (NFA) Technical Director Klaus Starke, who is also head of Namibia’s Technical Advisory Committee for the championship, said the team is prepared to take on the challenge and make a statement during the championship.
“We are playing at home and the team knows what is at stake. This team has matured tremendously from five years ago and the players are five times better. This is good for the team and as a country we should all anticipate a good showing despite the tough draw. Nigeria and Ivory Coast are world class teams and it won’t be easy to beat them but in football anything can happen and that motivates the team to make their own history and the time is now,” Starke said.
He adds that the display of the team during the 3-1 win over Algeria in a friendly will go a long way to boost the team’s confidence and approach to the championship.
“On Saturday, the team dominated very well and showed they can beat the top teams in Africa. The victory improved their confidence and now we have to support them and make them feel that they are indeed playing for more than two million people who are trusting them with conquering Africa,” Starke said.
During the training session, midfielder Lovisa Mulunga was absent since she was writing her Grade 12 exams but she will join the afternoon session. Lina Katuta and Twelikondjela Amukoto meanwhile got down to business as they joined the team on Monday from Ondangwa, where they have been on National Police Induction Training.
“I am happy they (Katuta and Amukoto) are finally here and now we can rope them in and get more tactical knowledge of the players in our squad. And as time moves on the pressure naturally builds up and we all hope it can be released on Saturday with a positive result,” head coach Jacqueline Shipanga said.
Namibia opens the championship on Saturday afternoon against Group A rivals Zambia at 17h00 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium. – nfa.org.na
