From the Sidelines: Cheers from fans wanted

I found it amusing when the patron of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), Hage Geingob, this week said that people should not behave as if they are attending a funeral when the Brave Warriors meet Libya this weekend.

It was funny because that is exactly what is happening when the national team is in action. Namibian football fans have over the years demonstrated that they are not very vocal when it comes to cheering on their teams.There are only brief moments of clapping hands and cheers coming from the stands when the Warriors knit together passes, while the biggest roar comes only when a goal is scored.At the Sam Nujoma Stadium last weekend, there was absolute silence during most of the match against Zambia and this sometimes dampens the performance of the players.The silence makes players wonder if there is a crowd in the stands and sometimes the game slows down and it also favours the home team as they take advantage because of that.The Brave Warriors supporters’ club was officially launched and it will be good if they can take the lead in mobilising the crowd at the stadium.Another sad aspect is that Namibian fans are generally intolerant of the mistakes that players sometimes make on the field and instead of lifting the spirit of the players, they resort to name-calling and foul language.I agree with Geingob that matches involving the national team on home ground need the best support.The stadium should be packed and the people should rally behind the team because players feel more confident and put in an extra effort when they are cheered on.The Brave Warriors supporters’ club members should lead from the front.Of course some people are not the greatest in making their voices heard, but there should be an atmosphere of patriotism and the players should feel proud that they are out there representing their country.The fans of the visiting teams should not be given any opportunity to make their voices, drums and vuvuzelas heard because the home crowd should be dominant.The vice chairman of the Brave Warriors supporters’ club Kayele Kambombo called on all fans to wear red shirts tomorrow, as this is the home colour of the Warriors.In principle, the stadium should be painted in red and this should also be accompanied by any instrument that can be used to make the loudest of noises.Fans should resort to chanting and singing instead of the disgraceful fights that break out among some intoxicated elements at the stadium.We hope that the NFA will beef up the security, as it also contributes to a lively but peaceful atmosphere.People should also refrain from storming onto the field after the match, as it is dangerous for players and officials.Although it is an exciting feeling to win, the fans should realise that players and officials can be exposed to danger from some elements who are either disgruntled with the decisions of the referees or disappointed with the performance of some players.So, it will be important to have tight security on the day.Humphries and his men cannot do it alone, and the Police and City Police also have a role to play.It would be good for Namibia to win this match to close the chapter on all the controversies regarding player selection and the insults that have been levelled against the coach by some members of the public.For the players, the onus is upon you to keep the qualifying hopes of the country alive by winning.Playing at home is a must-win and there should be no excuses.It is an important match and for Namibia to win, people should come to the stadium in numbers and the players should stand up and be counted.They should simply go out there and finish the job.Namibian football fans have over the years demonstrated that they are not very vocal when it comes to cheering on their teams.There are only brief moments of clapping hands and cheers coming from the stands when the Warriors knit together passes, while the biggest roar comes only when a goal is scored.At the Sam Nujoma Stadium last weekend, there was absolute silence during most of the match against Zambia and this sometimes dampens the performance of the players.The silence makes players wonder if there is a crowd in the stands and sometimes the game slows down and it also favours the home team as they take advantage because of that.The Brave Warriors supporters’ club was officially launched and it will be good if they can take the lead in mobilising the crowd at the stadium.Another sad aspect is that Namibian fans are generally intolerant of the mistakes that players sometimes make on the field and instead of lifting the spirit of the players, they resort to name-calling and foul language.I agree with Geingob that matches involving the national team on home ground need the best support.The stadium should be packed and the people should rally behind the team because players feel more confident and put in an extra effort when they are cheered on.The Brave Warriors supporters’ club members should lead from the front.Of course some people are not the greatest in making their voices heard, but there should be an atmosphere of patriotism and the players should feel proud that they are out there representing their country.The fans of the visiting teams should not be given any opportunity to make their voices, drums and vuvuzelas heard because the home crowd should be dominant.The vice chairman of the Brave Warriors supporters’ club Kayele Kambombo called on all fans to wear red shirts tomorrow, as this is the home colour of the Warriors.In principle, the stadium should be painted in red and this should also be accompanied by any instrument that can be used to make the loudest of noises.Fans should resort to chanting and singing instead of the disgraceful fights that break out among some intoxicated elements at the stadium.We hope that the NFA will beef up the security, as it also contributes to a lively but peaceful atmosphere.People should also refrain from storming onto the field after the match, as it is dangerous for players and officials.Although it is an exciting feeling to win, the fans should realise that players and officials can be exposed to danger from some elements who are either disgruntled with the decisions of the referees or disappointed with the performance of some players.So, it will be important to have tight security on the day.Humphries and his men cannot do it alone, and the Police and City Police also have a role to play.It would be good for Namibia to win this match to close the chapter on all the controversies regarding player selection and the insults that have been levelled against the coach by some members of the public.For the players, the onus is upon you to keep the qualifying hopes of the country alive by winning.Playing at home is a must-win and there should be no excuses.It is an important match and for Namibia to win, people should come to the stadium in numbers and the players should stand up and be counted.They should simply go out there and finish the job.