Tough challenge for Gladiators

THE Brave Gladiators face a titanic challenge when they engage the unpredictable Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a first leg 2008 Olympic Games qualifier football clash in Windhoek on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 16h00. The Namibians, who will have the backing of the home crowd at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday, will be left with no choice but to beat the visitors, with no guarantee of an easy path when they meet the same side on March 10 in an away match, scheduled for Kinshasa.Despite having all players now fit from their injuries picked up during the two international friendly matches against Zimbabwe last month, the home side firstly need to put up a handsome winning scoreline, but most importantly, they need not to concede any goals.Gladiators coach Jacqui Shipanga has moulded the side into a solid unit and this could be seen from especially their two matches against Zimbabwe, who in fact were expected to demolish the home side due to their experience on the international stage.This time, the DRC, which are even stronger opponents than Zimbabwe, will try to find their way past the Namibians, before they intent to bury them when they play in the diamond rich country in a fortnight.Despite that, the focus will be on the weekend’s match when Shipanga’s coaching abilities will be tested, while the players will also be under pressure as they are expected to pull all stops on their home ground.The DRC players are physically strong and have proven that against South Africa, when they beat them 1-0 in Kinshasa, before they lost against the same side 1-0.Considering the fact that Namibia played South Africa in the Cosafa Cup final last year, the home side is capable of putting up a good fight, provided their strikers find the net, as the end result is what matters.Namibian defender and captain Helvi Eliakim, who had a more serious injury on her knee, recovered well this week and will be in the starting line-up, so will be Queen Manga, Stephani Hummel and Susanna Eises.There was concern on the speedy recovery of Eliakim, a key component of the Namibian backline, but the medical staff confirmed that she will be fit for match day.Manga, another prominent defender for the side and a rather good header of the ball, will be guarding the lines along Eliakim in a match that can measure their skills against the fast-paced DRC strikers.Rehoboth High School Sportswoman of the Year and scorer of two goals against Zimbabwe, Leandri Lucas, is another crucial player for the side and her crosses and runs into the box, will be invaluable on Saturday.Lucas, a natural footballer with silky dribbling skills and a knack of scoring goals at will, has the responsibility of setting up goals on Saturday, while the team’s most experienced player, Stella Williams, is expected to up her game this time around.Williams did not impress much in the two friendlies against Zimbabwe and with a match of such importance this time, the midfielder will be left with no option but to lead from the front as a senior player.Another player who needs to step up to the plate is stocky striker Juliana Skrywer, who is generally the goal-getter for the side.Skrywer, also a good dribbler of the ball, has the task of shooting on target at every opportunity she gets, provided she receives precise passes from her midfielders.The side can however rely on the safe hands of first-choice goalkeeper Bonnitta Eixas, who has demonstrated a sense of aggressiveness between the posts.Meanwhile, the final team of 18 players will be announced today, the day on which DRC also arrives.The Gladiators were set to play in a friendly match against the national women’s B team at the Sam Nujoma Stadium last night.They have beaten the B side twice, first with a 7-1 margin and again with a 14-0 scoreline, but the senior side has lost 7-3 to an under 15 boys team of the City of Windhoek.The Namibians, who will have the backing of the home crowd at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday, will be left with no choice but to beat the visitors, with no guarantee of an easy path when they meet the same side on March 10 in an away match, scheduled for Kinshasa.Despite having all players now fit from their injuries picked up during the two international friendly matches against Zimbabwe last month, the home side firstly need to put up a handsome winning scoreline, but most importantly, they need not to concede any goals.Gladiators coach Jacqui Shipanga has moulded the side into a solid unit and this could be seen from especially their two matches against Zimbabwe, who in fact were expected to demolish the home side due to their experience on the international stage.This time, the DRC, which are even stronger opponents than Zimbabwe, will try to find their way past the Namibians, before they intent to bury them when they play in the diamond rich country in a fortnight.Despite that, the focus will be on the weekend’s match when Shipanga’s coaching abilities will be tested, while the players will also be under pressure as they are expected to pull all stops on their home ground.The DRC players are physically strong and have proven that against South Africa, when they beat them 1-0 in Kinshasa, before they lost against the same side 1-0.Considering the fact that Namibia played South Africa in the Cosafa Cup final last year, the home side is capable of putting up a good fight, provided their strikers find the net, as the end result is what matters.Namibian defender and captain Helvi Eliakim, who had a more serious injury on her knee, recovered well this week and will be in the starting line-up, so will be Queen Manga, Stephani Hummel and Susanna Eises.There was concern on the speedy recovery of Eliakim, a key component of the Namibian backline, but the medical staff confirmed that she will be fit for match day.Manga, another prominent defender for the side and a rather good header of the ball, will be guarding the lines along Eliakim in a match that can measure their skills against the fast-paced DRC strikers.Rehoboth High School Sportswoman of the Year and scorer of two goals against Zimbabwe, Leandri Lucas, is another crucial player for the side and her crosses and runs into the box, will be invaluable on Saturday.Lucas, a natural footballer with silky dribbling skills and a knack of scoring goals at will, has the responsibility of setting up goals on Saturday, while the team’s most experienced player, Stella Williams, is expected to up her game this time around.Williams did not impress much in the two friendlies against Zimbabwe and with a match of such importance this time, the midfielder will be left with no option but to lead from the front as a senior player.Another player who needs to step up to the plate is stocky striker Juliana Skrywer, who is generally the goal-getter for the side.Skrywer, also a good dribbler of the ball, has the task of shooting on target at every opportunity she gets, provided she receives precise passes from her midfielders.The side can however rely on the safe hands of first-choice goalkeeper Bonnitta Eixas, who has demonstrated a sense of aggressiveness between the posts.Meanwhile, the final team of 18 players will be announced today, the day on which DRC also arrives.The Gladiators were set to play in a friendly match against the national women’s B team at the Sam Nujoma Stadium last night.They have beaten the B side twice, first with a 7-1 margin and again with a 14-0 scoreline, but the senior side has lost 7-3 to an under 15 boys team of the City of Windhoek.