Gladiators beat Angola

ON Saturday Brave Gladiators striker Emerencia ‘Kleintjie’ Fredericks’s 86th minute free kick against Angola saw Namibia through to the next round of the Africa Women’s Championship 2010.

The Gladiators went into the match leading 2-1 on aggregate following their first-leg win in Windhoek two weeks ago and secured a 3-2 aggregate victory. The match was played at the Obaka Stadium in Benguela, which also hosted the 2010 Africa Nations Cup, with about 32 000 spectators behind the home team, but the Gladiators held their nerve to advance to the next stage.According to NFA Secretary General Barry Rukoro, who accompanied the ladies, the team showed great character in the crucial away match.’They showed great determination and courage and in the end it paid off. The crowd was very vocal and that never seemed to intimidate our ladies and after scoring with four minutes to go, Angola started to panic and our team held on for the draw and they are now through,’ said Rukoro.The first half finished goalless, but seven minutes into the second half Angola managed to break the deadlock through their captain and that put pressure on Namibia as Angola were to advance through the way goal rule.Gladiators coach Jacqui Shipanga however maintained a disciplined approach throughout and their patience finally paid off with four minutes to play as Kleintjie Fredericks, returning from a lengthy injury that kept her out of the match in Windhoek, was presented with a free kick on the edge of the box, which she executed with genuine authority into the corner to draw Namibia level on the day and 3-2 on aggregate.The team returned to Windhoek yesterday afternoon and will now prepare for the second and final round of qualification for the event to be held in South Africa later this year.

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