The ‘Grave’ Warriors?

I WOULD like to discuss the performance, or rather non-performance, of the once beloved Brave Warriors.

Watching the African Cup of Nations brought back memories of Namibia’s own participation in the 1998 football showpiece. What I cannot believe is that it was only eight years ago that we arguably had the most remarkable of comebacks in the history of the African Cup of Nations.The Ivory Coast, whom we played that day, was in this year’s final, yet our national team’s football fortunes have completely regressed.More perplexing is that football on the domestic front is seemingly improving.Teams in the Premier League appear better organised, sponsorships of tournaments (leagues included) is becoming more lucrative and there seems to be an abundance of natural talent.If the number of people playing football is anything to go by, all these factors should, in theory, result in an improved performance by the national side.Yet, we find ourselves in the position where people have forgotten who ‘The Architects of Comebacks’ are.(Our nickname after Burkina Faso ’98) The question on everyone’s lips is: What and where are we lacking?” Why can’t we compete against Africa’s finest anymore? Where did we go wrong and what is the way forward? These are questions that all individuals who have the interest of the Brave Warriors at heart should ask themselves.I therefore challenge all football administrators, stakeholders, coaches, former players and supporters to come up with solutions to help resurrect the fortunes of a team that is fast becoming the Grave Warriors! Hector 15 Windhoek-What I cannot believe is that it was only eight years ago that we arguably had the most remarkable of comebacks in the history of the African Cup of Nations.The Ivory Coast, whom we played that day, was in this year’s final, yet our national team’s football fortunes have completely regressed.More perplexing is that football on the domestic front is seemingly improving.Teams in the Premier League appear better organised, sponsorships of tournaments (leagues included) is becoming more lucrative and there seems to be an abundance of natural talent.If the number of people playing football is anything to go by, all these factors should, in theory, result in an improved performance by the national side.Yet, we find ourselves in the position where people have forgotten who ‘The Architects of Comebacks’ are.(Our nickname after Burkina Faso ’98) The question on everyone’s lips is: What and where are we lacking?” Why can’t we compete against Africa’s finest anymore? Where did we go wrong and what is the way forward? These are questions that all individuals who have the interest of the Brave Warriors at heart should ask themselves.I therefore challenge all football administrators, stakeholders, coaches, former players and supporters to come up with solutions to help resurrect the fortunes of a team that is fast becoming the Grave Warriors! Hector 15 Windhoek –