The Brave Gladiators lost 3-1 at Zambia on Sunday in their Africa Women Cup of Nations first leg, first round qualification match and have it all to do on 18 March at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
A brace from Noriah Sosala and a goal from Grace Chanda were enough to give Zambia a comfortable lead at half time which they kept until the 90th minute when Poly Babes defender Lorraine Jossob got a consolation goal for the Gladiators.
Sosala unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box which Agnes Kauzuu failed to hold onto and it was 2-0 on 22 minutes as Grace Chanda controlled well and scored past a hapless Kauzuu.
Sosala made it 3-0 for Zambia in added time of the first half with a well-taken freekick.
In the second half the Gladiators regrouped and came back a better side in the wet conditions at the Nkoloma Stadium as Vistoria Shangula, Mamie Kasaona and Vewe Kotjipati came on for Anoushka Kordom, Juliana Skrywer and Stella Williams.
The young Emma Naris was outstanding in defence and it was her fine play that in the end saw Namibia get the away goal right at the death. Naris’ interplay with Memory Ngonda saw the latter whip in a cross and Jossob was the most alert to the ball and went on to score for the Gladiators.
Overall it was a bad day at the office as early in the first half, playmaker Zenatha Coleman received a bad cut to her face and had to play with a bandaged head for the remainder of the match in which she was closely watched by the Zambians.
The Gladiators return home on Monday to prepare for the crucial second leg match to be played on 18 March at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek where they beat Zambia 2-0 in 2014 CAF Women Championship. – nfa.org.na
