Gladiators win in Zambia

THE Namibian national women’s football team, the Brave Gladiators, recorded an impressive 6-0 win over Swaziland in their second match of the Women’s Cosafa Cup in Lusaka, Zambia, yesterday.

The Gladiators pulled a two-all draw against Zambia in their first match, but delivered a spirited performance yesterday to oust the Swazis after leading 3-0 at half-time. The Namibians now have four points from two matches and are leading the group, as they also have a high scoring margin of six goals, compared to Zambia with only two and Swaziland with none.The team, which mostly consists of under-23 players, are in Group A of the competition.In Group B, defending champions South Africa are pitted against Malawi and Lesotho.South Africa are expected to top that group, while in Group C, Zimbabwe, Angola and Mozambique are the contenders.The semi-finals are set for August 24, with the three table toppers and the best loser expected to compete in them.The tournament ends on Sunday.The Namibian touring squad consists of the following players: 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 and Stefanie Hummel.The coach is Gabriel Freyer, assisted by Jacqui Shipanga, while Julien Garises is the team manager.Melitta Kgobetsi is the medic of the side.The Namibians now have four points from two matches and are leading the group, as they also have a high scoring margin of six goals, compared to Zambia with only two and Swaziland with none.The team, which mostly consists of under-23 players, are in Group A of the competition.In Group B, defending champions South Africa are pitted against Malawi and Lesotho.South Africa are expected to top that group, while in Group C, Zimbabwe, Angola and Mozambique are the contenders.The semi-finals are set for August 24, with the three table toppers and the best loser expected to compete in them.The tournament ends on Sunday.The Namibian touring squad consists of the following players: 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 and Stefanie Hummel.The coach is Gabriel Freyer, assisted by Jacqui Shipanga, while Julien Garises is the team manager.Melitta Kgobetsi is the medic of the side.