Gladiators named for Cosafa

A squad of 20 players has been selected for Namibia’s senior women’s football team, the Brave Gladiators, which is preparing hard for the Cosafa Cup slated for Lusaka, Zambia from August 21 to 27.

The final selection of 20 players was done on Wednesday after trials on July 29. Namibia is with Zambia and Swaziland in Group A, while defending champions South Africa is in Group B with Malawi and Lesotho.Zimbabwe, Angola and Mozambique make up Group C.The Gladiators will play against hosts Zambia on August 21 in their opening match and will tackle Swaziland the following day.Namibia Football Association (NFA) women’s football executive member Jacky Gertze is optimistic that Namibia has a chance to beat Swaziland but she is wary of Zambia.She said the team consists of fine players, the youngest being 14 years and the oldest 30 years of age.The semi-finals are set for August 24 and the final on August 26.The team has been in training since August 1.The team will fly out to Zambia on 19 August.The players are: Lydia Eixas, Helvi Eliakim, Novata Paulus, Sussana Eises, Queen Manga, Emmerencia Fredericks, Zuma Hamata, Stacey Naris, Helena Iipinge, Bianca Fredericks, Stella Williams, Yvonne Skrywer, Salome Iyambo, Mariska January, Leandri Lucas, Mary Jacobs, Zanti Hansen, Maureen Cooper, Juliana Skrywer, Stefanie Hummel.Shortlisted: Menetthe Shivute, Geil Gowases, Julia Alweendo, Helvi Asheendo.Coach – Gabriel Freyer; assistant coach – Jacqui Shipanga; team manager – Julien Garises; medic – Melitta Kgobetsi.NampaNamibia is with Zambia and Swaziland in Group A, while defending champions South Africa is in Group B with Malawi and Lesotho.Zimbabwe, Angola and Mozambique make up Group C.The Gladiators will play against hosts Zambia on August 21 in their opening match and will tackle Swaziland the following day.Namibia Football Association (NFA) women’s football executive member Jacky Gertze is optimistic that Namibia has a chance to beat Swaziland but she is wary of Zambia.She said the team consists of fine players, the youngest being 14 years and the oldest 30 years of age.The semi-finals are set for August 24 and the final on August 26.The team has been in training since August 1.The team will fly out to Zambia on 19 August.The players are: Lydia Eixas, Helvi Eliakim, Novata Paulus, Sussana Eises, Queen Manga, Emmerencia Fredericks, Zuma Hamata, Stacey Naris, Helena Iipinge, Bianca Fredericks, Stella Williams, Yvonne Skrywer, Salome Iyambo, Mariska January, Leandri Lucas, Mary Jacobs, Zanti Hansen, Maureen Cooper, Juliana Skrywer, Stefanie Hummel.Shortlisted: Menetthe Shivute, Geil Gowases, Julia Alweendo, Helvi Asheendo.Coach – Gabriel Freyer; assistant coach – Jacqui Shipanga; team manager – Julien Garises; medic – Melitta Kgobetsi.Nampa