Gladiators in high spirits

THE Brave Gladiators yesterday left for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in high spirits, hoping to score at least one goal against that country in Kinshasa to progress to the next stage of the 2008 Olympic Games Qualifiers.

Namibia drew 3-all against DRC a fortnight ago and will be hoping not to concede any goal, which might dent their chances of making it to the next stage of the competition. The Namibians need a goal to win 4-3 on aggregate, but a 0-all or 1-all draw will enable DRC to go through on the away-goal rule.The Namibians will employ all their key players for the encounter and also received a welcome boost after the successful recovery of captain and defender Helvi Eliakim from a knee injury.Defender Queen Mmanga, who suffered a nose injury during a league match, also joined the team and will be expected to command the defence alongside Eliakim in the tie.Coach Jacqui Shipanga and her technical team also recalled defender Helena Ipinge to the fold after being excluded for both the Zimbabwe friendlies and the DRC home match.Ipinge, who was voted as the Sportswoman of the Year by the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) last year, is also an important player for the side and her presence will be an advantage for the side which at times struggles to maintain full concentration until the end of the match.The head of delegation, Jackey Gertze, said the girls looked sharp during their two-week training session.”They are confident.Despite playing away from home, I believe they will carry through the confidence they have built up during the training camps.There is a positive spirit in the camp and I don’t see why we should not go out there and win,” she said.In their last match against DRC, the players displayed some good passing, tight marking and the goals came through their unwavering fighting spirit despite being led 2-1 at one stage.This time, away from home, the Namibians will go in as underdogs and their fighting spirit will be put on the line by the solid DRC side, which has quick strikers and whose midfielders control the ball well in the centre of the park.The Namibian side played two friendly matches this week and this has improved their match fitness, which they will need in the humid conditions in DRC.Namibian Team: Bonnita Eixas, Magdalena Swartbooi, Novata Paulus, Susanna Eises, Helvi Eliakim, Stacey Naris, Mangulukeni Hamata, Stephani Hummel, Emmerencia Fredericks, Queen Manga, Stefani Cloete, Stella Williams, Helena Ipinge, Bianca Fredericks, Juliana Skrywer, Leandri Lucas, Uerikondjera Kasaona, Diina Shituula.Officials: Jacky Gertze (head of delegation), Julien Garises (team manager), Jacqui Shipanga (head coach), Brian van Staden (assistant coach), Mellita Kgobetsi (team medic) and Charles Karamatha (team doctor).The Namibians need a goal to win 4-3 on aggregate, but a 0-all or 1-all draw will enable DRC to go through on the away-goal rule.The Namibians will employ all their key players for the encounter and also received a welcome boost after the successful recovery of captain and defender Helvi Eliakim from a knee injury.Defender Queen Mmanga, who suffered a nose injury during a league match, also joined the team and will be expected to command the defence alongside Eliakim in the tie.Coach Jacqui Shipanga and her technical team also recalled defender Helena Ipinge to the fold after being excluded for both the Zimbabwe friendlies and the DRC home match.Ipinge, who was voted as the Sportswoman of the Year by the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) last year, is also an important player for the side and her presence will be an advantage for the side which at times struggles to maintain full concentration until the end of the match.The head of delegation, Jackey Gertze, said the girls looked sharp during their two-week training session.”They are confident.Despite playing away from home, I believe they will carry through the confidence they have built up during the training camps.There is a positive spirit in the camp and I don’t see why we should not go out there and win,” she said.In their last match against DRC, the players displayed some good passing, tight marking and the goals came through their unwavering fighting spirit despite being led 2-1 at one stage.This time, away from home, the Namibians will go in as underdogs and their fighting spirit will be put on the line by the solid DRC side, which has quick strikers and whose midfielders control the ball well in the centre of the park.The Namibian side played two friendly matches this week and this has improved their match fitness, which they will need in the humid conditions in DRC.Namibian Team: Bonnita Eixas, Magdalena Swartbooi, Novata Paulus, Susanna Eises, Helvi Eliakim, Stacey Naris, Mangulukeni Hamata, Stephani Hummel, Emmerencia Fredericks, Queen Manga, Stefani Cloete, Stella Williams, Helena Ipinge, Bianca Fredericks, Juliana Skrywer, Leandri Lucas, Uerikondjera Kasaona, Diina Shituula. Officials: Jacky Gertze (head of delegation), Julien Garises (team manager), Jacqui Shipanga (head coach), Brian van Staden (assistant coach), Mellita Kgobetsi (team medic) and Charles Karamatha (team doctor).