Gladiators upbeat despite defeat

THE Brave Gladiators endured a torrid time in Lusaka, where they were overpowered 3-1 by a much-improved Zambian side in their Africa Women’s Cup of Nations first-leg first-round qualification match on Sunday.

A brace from Noriah Sosala and a goal from Grace Chanda were enough to give Zambia a comfortable lead by half-time, which they maintained until the 90th minute when Poly Babes’ defender Lorraine Jossob got a consolation and vital away goal for the Gladiators.

Namibia coach Jacqueline Shipanga said her team were beaten by a superior rival on the day, but the Gladiators will try to use homeground advantage to reverse the score and advance to the next round.

“The goals Zambia scored were good. Hope we shall be comfortable when playing at our home ground,” she noted.

“The team remains positive because the Namibian girls can play better than today. The Zambian team is definitely much better than when they played us in Windhoek a year ago”, the coach added.

Defender Emma Naris was possibly Namibia’s most outstanding player in a tough match against a new-look Zambian team from the one Namibia defeated at the African Women’s Championships by 2-0 two years ago.

Under rainy conditions, both teams struggled to put any purposeful play together, and instead resorted to route one football for extended periods.

In fact, the hosts scored their first goal from a looping long-range effort which sailed in over Namibian goalkeeper Agnes Kaazuu, who struggled to handle the wet, high balls all afternoon.

In the second half, there was better interplay from the Namibian side, who brought on striker Vistorina Shangula, utility player Vewe Kotjipati and forceful defender Mammie Kasaona for veteran striker Stella Williams, diminutive forward Juliana Skrywer and midfielder Annoushka Kordom as they pushed for goals.

The outstanding and versatile Emma Naris was pushed to the middle of the park from defence, and gave the needed boost to Namibia when Lorraine Jossop got on the end of a cross by Memory Ngonda to score a priceless away goal for Namibia.

Meanwhile, the Gladiators’ most influential player Zenatha Coleman picked up a cut on her face early in the first half and had to play the remainder of the match with a bandage.

Despite the win, coach Albert Kachinga warned his side against complacency, saying the Shepolopolo had not yet qualified to the final round, regardless of them establishing a healthy advantage heading into the second leg.

“Namibia gave us a good run for our money, but it’s not yet over. We have not qualified to the final round till the last whistle,” Kachinga told the Times of Zambia after the match.

The two teams meet on Friday, 18 March at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, with the winner after the two legs playing the victor of the ties involving Tanzania and Zimbabwe (1-2) for a place at the finals in Cameroon.

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