Civics tune up for champions league

BUSCHSCHULE Civics president Helmut Scharnowski reckons that his club can go past the first hurdle of their two-way match against Angola’s Sagrada Esparanca, when the two sides cross swords in the CAF Champions League match in Windhoek on February 18.

The return leg will be played on March 4 in Angola. Civics, Namibia’s champions for two consecutive seasons, have been drawn against the Angolan side in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) competition that features the league winners in Africa on a home-and-away basis.Civics played in the same competition a year ago, but were knocked out of the competition by South Africa’s SuperSport United in their home and away legs.This time, Scharnowski says, he is confident that they are better prepared.He was speaking at the handover of a cheque by the Namibia Football Consortium (NFC) yesterday.”We are ready for this.Our players have a lot of confidence and our team plays as a unit.I am optimistic to challenge the opponents from Angola because we have the right answer to their physical game.Our quick pass and the harmonica system, which has now been implemented in the team again, will do the trick,” he said.Scharnowski is also the head coach of the team and is assisted by Jorge da Purificacao as the technical director, while some senior players also assist with the coaching of the team.Scharnowski added that experienced players such Congo Hindjou, former captain Amos Shiyuka and Killian ‘Killer’ Kavari might be used in the two matches if necessary.He responded to a question on the current young Civics side of which some of the players lack international experience.Da Purificacao said the team is training twice a day, and their physiotherapist (Sedney Afrikaner) and goalkeeper coach (Sparks Gotlieb) were doing a great job to keep the players in shape.”The players are fully fit and mentally strong and we are ready to take on our opponents,” he said.At the event, NFC spokesperson Cassius Moetie announced a N$250 000 sponsorship to help cover the team’s expenses during their two matches.Civics expect to spend at least N$300 000 on accommodation, travel costs and meals for the players and officials.Moetie said Civics are not only going to represent themselves in the competition, but the entire Namibia.”Namibians should rally behind the team during this competition, as their performance will reflect on Namibia too,” he said.He added that any other teams that qualify for such tournament would get assistance from the consortium in future.Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) administrative secretary Rusten Mogane said the consortium was playing an important role in supporting sports in the country.He said the players would sign a code of conduct to which they had to adhere on and off the field, as they would be Namibia’s ambassadors in the competition.Civics administrative secretary Tim Isaacs said they hoped to get at least two friendly matches against South African teams before they take on the Angolan side.”We are still busy with negotiations to have matches in South Africa to prepare for this encounter, and we will know soon what the outcome would be,” he said.Meanwhile, the Civics are expected to take on rivals Ramblers in an evening match tonight at the SKW Stadium – a crucial match to win to keep their spot at the top of the league.Kick-off is at 19h00.Civics, Namibia’s champions for two consecutive seasons, have been drawn against the Angolan side in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) competition that features the league winners in Africa on a home-and-away basis.Civics played in the same competition a year ago, but were knocked out of the competition by South Africa’s SuperSport United in their home and away legs.This time, Scharnowski says, he is confident that they are better prepared.He was speaking at the handover of a cheque by the Namibia Football Consortium (NFC) yesterday.”We are ready for this.Our players have a lot of confidence and our team plays as a unit.I am optimistic to challenge the opponents from Angola because we have the right answer to their physical game.Our quick pass and the harmonica system, which has now been implemented in the team again, will do the trick,” he said.Scharnowski is also the head coach of the team and is assisted by Jorge da Purificacao as the technical director, while some senior players also assist with the coaching of the team.Scharnowski added that experienced players such Congo Hindjou, former captain Amos Shiyuka and Killian ‘Killer’ Kavari might be used in the two matches if necessary.He responded to a question on the current young Civics side of which some of the players lack international experience.Da Purificacao said the team is training twice a day, and their physiotherapist (Sedney Afrikaner) and goalkeeper coach (Sparks Gotlieb) were doing a great job to keep the players in shape.”The players are fully fit and mentally strong and we are ready to take on our opponents,” he said.At the event, NFC spokesperson Cassius Moetie announced a N$250 000 sponsorship to help cover the team’s expenses during their two matches.Civics expect to spend at least N$300 000 on accommodation, travel costs and meals for the players and officials.Moetie said Civics are not only going to represent themselves in the competition, but the entire Namibia.”Namibians should rally behind the team during this competition, as their performance will reflect on Namibia too,” he said.He added that any other teams that qualify for such tournament would get assistance from the consortium in future.Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) administrative secretary Rusten Mogane said the consortium was playing an important role in supporting sports in the country.He said the players would sign a code of conduct to which they had to adhere on and off the field, as they would be Namibia’s ambassadors in the competition.Civics administrative secretary Tim Isaacs said they hoped to get at least two friendly matches against South African teams before they take on the Angolan side.”We are still busy with negotiations to have matches in South Africa to prepare for this encounter, and we will know soon what the outcome would be,” he said.Meanwhile, the Civics are expected to take on rivals Ramblers in an evening match tonight at the SKW Stadium – a crucial match to win to keep their spot at the top of the league.Kick-off is at 19h00.