The Brave Gladiators squad has been trimmed down to 23 players as they wait to ambush the Swaziland women’s team on Saturday, 21 March, to mark Namibia’s 25th Independence Anniversary celebrations at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium.
Brave Gladiators coach Jacqui Shipanga on Monday released a 23-women list, three less from the initial list of 26 that were called up for the training camp about two weeks ago.
Shortlisted goalkeeper Alberta Dawes of JS Academy has made the final 23 and so has her clubmate Juliana Blou.
“Initially we had Susanna Eises called up but due to work commitments she did not make it and so Alberta had to come in with their experience as well. It was not easy to reduce the team to the final 23 but we have been here before and we move on. The expectations for this team are very high as we have raised the bar during the continental championship last year and we now have to keep on going to prove it was no fluke but years of dedication and commitment,” Shipanga said.
“The mood has now changed as well, the players are more focused now and are ready to do well on Saturday. It will be a sentimental game for the team not just for our national 25 years of independence but also because the team wants to win for President-elect Hage Geingob. He was all the way with the team during the African Women Championships and the team wants to dedicate a good result on Saturday to him. We are not underestimating Swaziland but we will go out there and do our best,” she added.
Brave Gladiators star player Zenatha Coleman, who mesmerised all with her dazzling skills during the CAF Women Championship last year will again be the player to watch on Saturday as she prepares to go for trials in Sweden soon, while the German-based pair of defender Veweziwa Kotjipati and defensive midfielder Memory Ngonda are expected to add some steel to the rearguard.
The match will take place at the Independence Stadium with kickoff time set for 16h00.
Here is the final 23 Brave Gladiators.
Goalkeepers:
Novata Paulus (NDF), Alberta Dawes and Agnes Kauzuu (both JS Academy).
Defenders:
Mammie Kasaona and Esther Amukwaya (both NDF), Ndapewa Katuta, Emma Naris, Twelikondjela Amukoto, Lovisa Mulunga (all JS Academy), Lorraine Jossop (Poly Babes) and Veweziwa Kotjipati (Fsv Gutersloh-Germany).
Midfielders:
Thomalina Adams, Kleintjie Fredericks, Vistorine Shaangula, Annouscka Kordom, Elina Uulumbu (all JS Academy); Juliana Skrywer (Okahandja Beauties) and Memory Ngonda (Ibbenburen-Germany),.
Strikers:
Zenatha Coleman, Millicent Hikuam and Anna Shikusho (JS Academy) and Stella Williams.
