From the Sidelines: Support for Namibia

THIS will be a big sporting weekend for Namibia, as the national rugby and football teams will both be engaged in international matches on two separate days.

The Brave Warriors will be first to take to the field as they will try to find their way past Ethiopia to land a place in the last 16 of the Africa Nations Cup, but only through a win against Ethiopia, and will be hoping for the Democratic Republic of Congo to lose against Libya at the same time. The rugby side will lock horns against Ireland in their opening match of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France in Bordeaux, a match which will give an indication if Namibia is up to scratch for the rest of the encounters in this tournament.The Warriors left for Addis Ababa yesterday from Johannesburg and their mission is to defeat Ethiopia at all costs as coach Ben Bamfuchile assembled the best available players in and outside the country.Despite the home-ground advantage of the Ethiopians who lost 1-0 to Namibia in their first leg at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, the Namibians will be required to put in more work this time.They need to do that because the country stands on the verge of qualifying for the finals which will be staged in Ghana in 2008 and by doing that, it will mark the country’s second entry into Africa’s biggest football event.Namibia first qualified for the finals in Burkina Faso in 1998 and after failing to reach that level in the following years, they will be presented with yet another chance.That chance has to be grabbed with both hands as the national team has been erratic in especially the Cosafa Castle Cup where they have been knocked out in the first round for over five years now.The onus also rests upon the foreign-based internationals who need to lift their game at times when it really matters.In general, the professionals have failed to deliver the goods and the locally based players have been branded as being inexperienced.This type of talk does not matter at this stage any more, despite the little time the local players had to prepare for this match.It will be a case of beating the wet weather conditions, the intimidation from the crowd and possibly the bad hospitality that they will get in Addis Ababa.The Warriors need this win and the whole country needs it badly.For the rugby side which goes into its third Rugby World Cup, it will no longer be a ground where they will have to pick up experience to build on.Now is the time for the team to compete and show the world that they are not easy, even if they are regarded as the whipping boys of world rugby.Namibia has an abundance of professionals and they too will be required to stand tall and be counted at this tournament.Team captain Kees Lensing is possibly one of the most confident players in the side at this stage, as he repeatedly said he wants to compete instead of Namibia being just a mere participant.Namibia has received a high level of coaching from leading figures in world rugby in their build-up to the tournament and one hopes that what they have learned will be implemented.It will be tough to beat countries such as Argentina and Ireland, but to put up a great fight and being congratulated for it is worth it.Namibia has nothing to lose in the world cup as we are the lowest ranked country at the competition.They can go into their matches with the label of minnows, but their hearts should be brave enough to put in those telling tackles and make use of any opportunities that come their way.It is not a good experience to concede points in this game as they might run into three-digit figures, but for Namibia to put points on the scoreboard will be a great feeling for the players and the people back home – irrespective in whatever way points have been gained.For now, Namibia holds thumbs for the Warriors to book a ticket to Ghana, while it will also be good to see a gutsy Namibian side bringing those big international stars to the ground in their various encounters.Good luck to our national teams and let’s all support them in these tough times.The rugby side will lock horns against Ireland in their opening match of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France in Bordeaux, a match which will give an indication if Namibia is up to scratch for the rest of the encounters in this tournament.The Warriors left for Addis Ababa yesterday from Johannesburg and their mission is to defeat Ethiopia at all costs as coach Ben Bamfuchile assembled the best available players in and outside the country.Despite the home-ground advantage of the Ethiopians who lost 1-0 to Namibia in their first leg at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, the Namibians will be required to put in more work this time.They need to do that because the country stands on the verge of qualifying for the finals which will be staged in Ghana in 2008 and by doing that, it will mark the country’s second entry into Africa’s biggest football event.Namibia first qualified for the finals in Burkina Faso in 1998 and after failing to reach that level in the following years, they will be presented with yet another chance.That chance has to be grabbed with both hands as the national team has been erratic in especially the Cosafa Castle Cup where they have been knocked out in the first round for over five years now.The onus also rests upon the foreign-based internationals who need to lift their game at times when it really matters.In general, the professionals have failed to deliver the goods and the locally based players have been branded as being inexperienced.This type of talk does not matter at this stage any more, despite the little time the local players had to prepare for this match.It will be a case of beating the wet weather conditions, the intimidation from the crowd and possibly the bad hospitality that they will get in Addis Ababa.The Warriors need this win and the whole country needs it badly.For the rugby side which goes into its third Rugby World Cup, it will no longer be a ground where they will have to pick up experience to build on.Now is the time for the team to compete and show the world that they are not easy, even if they are regarded as the whipping boys of world rugby.Namibia has an abundance of professionals and they too will be required to stand tall and be counted at this tournament.Team captain Kees Lensing is possibly one of the most confident players in the side at this stage, as he repeatedly said he wants to compete instead of Namibia being just a mere participant.Namibia has received a high level of coaching from leading figures in world rugby in their build-up to the tournament and one hopes that what they have learned will be implemented.It will be tough to beat countries such as Argentina and Ireland, but to put up a great fight and being congratulated for it is worth it.Namibia has nothing to lose in the world cup as we are the lowest ranked country at the competition.They can go into their matches with the label of minnows, but their hearts should be brave enough to put in those telling tackles and make use of any opportunities that come their way.It is not a good experience to concede points in this game as they might run into three-digit figures, but for Namibia to put points on the scoreboard will be a great feeling for the players and the people back home – irrespective in whatever way points have been gained.For now, Namibia holds thumbs for the Warriors to book a ticket to Ghana, while it will also be good to see a gutsy Namibian side bringing those big international stars to the ground in their various encounters.Good luck to our national teams and let’s all support them in these tough times.