From the Sidelines with Corry Ihuhua

FOOTBALL spectators on Wednesday night (April 28) were left without anything to talk about when they got home after the Brave Warriors played one of their worst matches in years.

The match comes close to the recent performance by the Reds of Australia against the Sharks from South Africa in a Super 12 rugby match that produced absolute zero dramatic results. That match ended 5-6 in favour of the Australians and it marked the worst performance in the history of both teams, which are known for explosive backs and fascinating tries.The Warriors’ international friendly match against Botswana at the Independence Stadium on Wednesday night, belongs in the lowest drawer, as many substitutions completely broke down the momentum of the game.The players could not perform consistently as a unit as different combinations were being put to test by care-taker coach Max Johnson.In fact, that is the purpose of friendly matches.To rotate players and make sure that all your players on the bench are used.Basically, the coach was testing his players and there is nothing sinister about it, as he is preparing for the Cosafa Castle Cup match against Angola next week.But, the players who are being put through the test are not delivering what is expected from them.The match proved too rigid and one can only single out two or three players who showed their calibre throughout.Some players simply do not have the desired qualities to be in a national side, let alone to be considered for it.The fact is, players who perform excellently at club level do not necessarily play the same football at national level.It is true that the team is being build for the future, but the ones who are being picked, should show their worth and try to execute a consistent level of performance in each game.It was really sad to see some players just not carrying out their responsibilities in the positions they were assigned for.It is understandable that the team is relatively inexperienced and the players have not been together as a team for long, but their strengths and basic skill at that level should be eminent, even on an individual basis.The match had no spark, players of both teams did not device ways to beat each other in their search for goals, especially in the first half.There was little, if not any sense of scoring goals from both sides.A reasonable crowd that pitched-up for the match had nothing to cheer about.The VIP’s who forked out N$50 were undoubtedly the most disappointed than the oaks took out their N$10’s to watch the Warriors in action, or is it dissatisfaction.Well, it will be unfair to judge the coach at this stage, since this is his second competitive match since he took over this year.He assembled the best players he could find in the domestic leagues, but the quality of play from these very same players, has a direct and rather negative bearing on holding on to his post.The current players are not as bad when it comes to the basics, but experience is their biggest evil, while some lack confidence and the mental power on international level.The coach can surely work around these aspects if given some more time.The Angola match will be the ultimate for Johnson in his short stint with the team.Angola brought in eight professionals and some have already been in training this week, a situation that will give the Angolans the advantage in terms of experience.Namibia’s professionals, if they arrive next week, can do their country a favour by producing the goods against Angola, irrespective of not having spent at least two weeks with the local players.Their (professionals) experience will count for the Warriors, while the locals just need to show more character and a strong will to succeed.Johnson during the course of next week, has the opportunity to work on a format that will be conducive for both the professionals and the locals.It will be vital to stick to a fixed playing formation that works for the team, instead of changing it time and again during the match.That match ended 5-6 in favour of the Australians and it marked the worst performance in the history of both teams, which are known for explosive backs and fascinating tries.The Warriors’ international friendly match against Botswana at the Independence Stadium on Wednesday night, belongs in the lowest drawer, as many substitutions completely broke down the momentum of the game.The players could not perform consistently as a unit as different combinations were being put to test by care-taker coach Max Johnson.In fact, that is the purpose of friendly matches.To rotate players and make sure that all your players on the bench are used.Basically, the coach was testing his players and there is nothing sinister about it, as he is preparing for the Cosafa Castle Cup match against Angola next week.But, the players who are being put through the test are not delivering what is expected from them.The match proved too rigid and one can only single out two or three players who showed their calibre throughout.Some players simply do not have the desired qualities to be in a national side, let alone to be considered for it.The fact is, players who perform excellently at club level do not necessarily play the same football at national level.It is true that the team is being build for the future, but the ones who are being picked, should show their worth and try to execute a consistent level of performance in each game.It was really sad to see some players just not carrying out their responsibilities in the positions they were assigned for.It is understandable that the team is relatively inexperienced and the players have not been together as a team for long, but their strengths and basic skill at that level should be eminent, even on an individual basis.The match had no spark, players of both teams did not device ways to beat each other in their search for goals, especially in the first half.There was little, if not any sense of scoring goals from both sides.A reasonable crowd that pitched-up for the match had nothing to cheer about.The VIP’s who forked out N$50 were undoubtedly the most disappointed than the oaks took out their N$10’s to watch the Warriors in action, or is it dissatisfaction.Well, it will be unfair to judge the coach at this stage, since this is his second competitive match since he took over this year.He assembled the best players he could find in the domestic leagues, but the quality of play from these very same players, has a direct and rather negative bearing on holding on to his post.The current players are not as bad when it comes to the basics, but experience is their biggest evil, while some lack confidence and the mental power on international level.The coach can surely work around these aspects if given some more time.The Angola match will be the ultimate for Johnson in his short stint with the team.Angola brought in eight professionals and some have already been in training this week, a situation that will give the Angolans the advantage in terms of experience.Namibia’s professionals, if they arrive next week, can do their country a favour by producing the goods against Angola, irrespective of not having spent at least two weeks with the local players.Their (professionals) experience will count for the Warriors, while the locals just need to show more character and a strong will to succeed.Johnson during the course of next week, has the opportunity to work on a format that will be conducive for both the professionals and the locals.It will be vital to stick to a fixed playing formation that works for the team, instead of changing it time and again during the match.