Namibia’s Brave Gladiators face Zim

THE Brave Gladiators are faced with the monumental task of continuing where they left off after finishing runners-up in the Cosafa Cup last year, as they face Zimbabwe in two international friendlies in Windhoek this weekend.

The national women’s team were runners-up to South Africa in the Cosafa Women’s tournament played in Zambia late last year. This time, they are coming up against an unknown Zimbabwean line-up.They will first square up at the SKW Stadium tonight at 19h00, before engaging them at 16h00 at the Unam Fields on Saturday.Both countries are preparing for crucial 2008 Olympic qualifiers which will be determined later next month and in March.Namibia will face the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a home encounter on February 17 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, before they meet the same side in Kinshasa on March 10 in a return leg.If either country wins both matches, they will be going to the next round of the qualifiers where they will be pitted against new opponents before their fate is decided to the finals of the world’s biggest sporting showpiece.But for this weekend, the Namibian side under the guidance of Jacqui Shipanga as coach are aiming to sharpen their skills against their opponents who were expected to arrive in Windhoek late last night.Gladiators captain Helvi Eliakim will lead her charges in what could be a 50/50 affair between the two countries, as they have not tested each other in recent years.The side will have the presence of their most experienced player in midfielder Stella Williams, who will be picking up her 17th cap tonight.Williams is currently the only player to have scored against South Africa in their two defeats during the Olympic qualifiers a few years ago, and her skills will be invaluable for the side this time around.She is also a great passer of the ball and through this, has created many goals for her team-mates, while she has also landed a dozen for the side.Defender Queen Manga is the side’s most versatile player and has so far fitted perfectly into each position on the field, but will be playing in defence tonight.She can be used elsewhere, depending on the nature of the games.Striker Julian Skrywer is the team’s most reliable striker and despite her height, she is strong on her feet and can take her chances at goal if given room.Other key players for the side include midfielder Zuma Hamata, who can also be used as a midfielder, while others such as Leandri Lucas, Kavekuiri Kaapama, Charmaine Swartbooi and Inge Katambo are also steady customers in their roles.The youngest player for the Namibian side is Toshi Haufiku, who is 17 years of age.The young striker hails from Tsumeb and is currently in the process of being turned into a deadly weapon in front of goal by her coaches on national level.The rookie of the team is Uerikondjera Kasoana, a striker from Opuwo, who has been called up for the first time.The two matches will be a test at home for the Namibians as they have not played on home soil in over three years against a foreign country.They are going into the two matches as favourites, judging from their impressive second-spot finish in the Cosafa last year.Entry to both matches is free.This time, they are coming up against an unknown Zimbabwean line-up.They will first square up at the SKW Stadium tonight at 19h00, before engaging them at 16h00 at the Unam Fields on Saturday.Both countries are preparing for crucial 2008 Olympic qualifiers which will be determined later next month and in March.Namibia will face the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a home encounter on February 17 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, before they meet the same side in Kinshasa on March 10 in a return leg.If either country wins both matches, they will be going to the next round of the qualifiers where they will be pitted against new opponents before their fate is decided to the finals of the world’s biggest sporting showpiece.But for this weekend, the Namibian side under the guidance of Jacqui Shipanga as coach are aiming to sharpen their skills against their opponents who were expected to arrive in Windhoek late last night.Gladiators captain Helvi Eliakim will lead her charges in what could be a 50/50 affair between the two countries, as they have not tested each other in recent years.The side will have the presence of their most experienced player in midfielder Stella Williams, who will be picking up her 17th cap tonight.Williams is currently the only player to have scored against South Africa in their two defeats during the Olympic qualifiers a few years ago, and her skills will be invaluable for the side this time around.She is also a great passer of the ball and through this, has created many goals for her team-mates, while she has also landed a dozen for the side.Defender Queen Manga is the side’s most versatile player and has so far fitted perfectly into each position on the field, but will be playing in defence tonight.She can be used elsewhere, depending on the nature of the games.Striker Julian Skrywer is the team’s most reliable striker and despite her height, she is strong on her feet and can take her chances at goal if given room.Other key players for the side include midfielder Zuma Hamata, who can also be used as a midfielder, while others such as Leandri Lucas, Kavekuiri Kaapama, Charmaine Swartbooi and Inge Katambo are also steady customers in their roles.The youngest player for the Namibian side is Toshi Haufiku, who is 17 years of age.The young striker hails from Tsumeb and is currently in the process of being turned into a deadly weapon in front of goal by her coaches on national level.The rookie of the team is Uerikondjera Kasoana, a striker from Opuwo, who has been called up for the first time.The two matches will be a test at home for the Namibians as they have not played on home soil in over three years against a foreign country.They are going into the two matches as favourites, judging from their impressive second-spot finish in the Cosafa last year.Entry to both matches is free.