Oshana have a good record in the Namibia Newspaper Cup competition, having won the tournament in 2007 and finishing as the runners-up in 2003, 2012 and 2014.
Last year they lost a close final, going down 2-1 to Kunene, but this year they have an experienced squad with the core of the 2014 team remaining on.
Furthermore, their preparations have gone very well according to coach Alexander Ithumba.
“Our preparations have gone well and we have been together for three weeks now. We have already played five friendly matches, winning four and drawing one. We beat Oshana Nampol A 6-4 and their B team 2-0, while we beat Oshakati United 4-0 and drew 2-2 against Africa Motto,” he said.
The Oshana squad also includes some exciting youngsters who formed part of last year’s national U-17 squad.
They are midfielder Pandeni Kandjabanga, attacking midfielder Manchester United Magyver and striker Israel Shikongo, but Ithumba did not want to single anyone out.
“Our whole team consists of good players, so I don’t want to single out anyone. Last year we lost 2-1 in the final against Kunene, but both our goalies were injured so I had to put an outfield player in goals. So this time around we don’t want to finish as the runners-up again so I have included three goalies in my squad,” he said.
Oshana will be playing in Group A along with Hardap, Omaheke and Ohangwena.
Oshana Squad:
1 Festus Hafeni (Unam KK)
2 Eino Kanenguni (Khuse FC)
3 Bethuel Iiyambo (Young Star)
4 Timoteus Jesaya (Foxy Senior)
5 Sensikus Angula (Africa Motto)
6 Ndakalako Kateya (Iipumbu SS)
7 Sartiel Johannes (Africa Motto)
8 Pandeni Kandjabanga (Golden Bigs)
9 Petrus Shivute (KK FC)
10 David Josua (Khuse)
11 Israel Shikongo (Unam)
12 Martin Valombola (Khuse)
13 Onesmus Ashipala (Khuse)
14 Manchester Macgyver (Ongwediva City)
15 Kleopas Joseph (Golden Bigs)
16 Willem Shikomba (Khuse)
17 Ingo Gerson (Vietnam Rangers)
19 Higinus Amunime (African FC)
20 Jesaya Andreas (Young Chiefs)
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