THE national under-23 side have an epic assignment against rivals South Africa in a 2008 Olympic Games qualifier this Sunday, but most importantly, the Young Warriors need to shake off the tag of under-achievers at this level.
The team, which will take to the field a day after their senior counterparts have tackled Ethiopia in a African Nations Cup qualifier, have long been in the shadow of their southern neighbour and this time, they will be expected to produce or face elimination. The Namibians recorded a narrow 1-0 loss against South Africa’s ‘Amagluglug’ in the first leg of the 2008 Olympic Games qualifier in Potchefstroom, but now with home advantage, the tables are expected to turn.The Young Warriors, who possibly have one of the strongest teams in years, have played second fiddle to their neighbours over the years, largely due to their wastefulness in front of goal and constant defensive lapses at crucial stages.The side, under the guidance of former Black Africa midfield supremo Bobby Samaria, have steadily been fine-tuned, but their near chances have let them down, especially in their first-leg match against South Africa.Amagluglug will on Sunday hope to completely shut out the Namibian strikers, but will also hunt for goals to increase the deficit.They are expected to play a more defensive game, while relying on counter-attacks, which has proven to be a problem for the Namibian defenders.Namibia will instead be expected to opt for a more attacking game to close in on the 1-0 margin, but this can only be realised if the young strikers refrain from shooting blanks like they did in South Africa.Strikers such as Lazarus Kaimbi, Saul Coetzee and Frans de Muinda are experienced enough to make use of their chances in front of goal, but their match temperament has led them down.The trio are key goal-getters in their respective premier league teams and it will be disappointing for them not to score at least a goal each on match day.A sense of careful aggression at the back, innovation in midfield and a hunger for goals upfront can be a winning recipe for Samaria’s side, given the wealth of talented players he has for this match.On paper, Namibia has remarkable midfielders such as Rudi Louw, Freedom Puriza, Riaan Cloete, Ninja Karongee and Ettiene Beukes, who are all well-oiled youngsters who have proven to be extremely competent in holding the midfield together for their clubs.Puriza, the quick and rather sharp shooting customer, will be given a chance this Sunday after he was relegated from the senior team, while Louw and Cloete can easily find each other as they have been partners through the national ranks for years.The defence looks solid with captain Gotlieb Nakuta of Blue Waters tasked to take the back line, which also include the promising Jomo Cosmos defender Wycliff Kambonde and the reliable African Stars strongman, Pat-Nevin Uanivi.In goal, Ephraim Tjihonge, who was formerly the pillar for Black Africa before moving to South Africa’s Black Leopards, will be the automatic choice, while Blue Waters youngster Charles Uirab will be warming the bench.Home advantage with a supportive crowd will be the key to the Young Warriors’ victory, but before that, the players should realise that a win can only be achieved by scoring goals.Samaria and his assistant Wagga Wagga Goagoseb will have themselves to blame if the side goes down, because they can easily find a winning combination from the talented 22 players in the squad.The Namibians recorded a narrow 1-0 loss against South Africa’s ‘Amagluglug’ in the first leg of the 2008 Olympic Games qualifier in Potchefstroom, but now with home advantage, the tables are expected to turn.The Young Warriors, who possibly have one of the strongest teams in years, have played second fiddle to their neighbours over the years, largely due to their wastefulness in front of goal and constant defensive lapses at crucial stages.The side, under the guidance of former Black Africa midfield supremo Bobby Samaria, have steadily been fine-tuned, but their near chances have let them down, especially in their first-leg match against South Africa.Amagluglug will on Sunday hope to completely shut out the Namibian strikers, but will also hunt for goals to increase the deficit.They are expected to play a more defensive game, while relying on counter-attacks, which has proven to be a problem for the Namibian defenders.Namibia will instead be expected to opt for a more attacking game to close in on the 1-0 margin, but this can only be realised if the young strikers refrain from shooting blanks like they did in South Africa.Strikers such as Lazarus Kaimbi, Saul Coetzee and Frans de Muinda are experienced enough to make use of their chances in front of goal, but their match temperament has led them down.The trio are key goal-getters in their respective premier league teams and it will be disappointing for them not to score at least a goal each on match day.A sense of careful aggression at the back, innovation in midfield and a hunger for goals upfront can be a winning recipe for Samaria’s side, given the wealth of talented players he has for this match.On paper, Namibia has remarkable midfielders such as Rudi Louw, Freedom Puriza, Riaan Cloete, Ninja Karongee and Ettiene Beukes, who are all well-oiled youngsters who have proven to be extremely competent in holding the midfield together for their clubs.Puriza, the quick and rather sharp shooting customer, will be given a chance this Sunday after he was relegated from the senior team, while Louw and Cloete can easily find each other as they have been partners through the national ranks for years.The defence looks solid with captain Gotlieb Nakuta of Blue Waters tasked to take the back line, which also include the promising Jomo Cosmos defender Wycliff Kambonde and the reliable African Stars strongman, Pat-Nevin Uanivi.In goal, Ephraim Tjihonge, who was formerly the pillar for Black Africa before moving to South Africa’s Black Leopards, will be the automatic choice, while Blue Waters youngster Charles Uirab will be warming the bench.Home advantage with a supportive crowd will be the key to the Young Warriors’ victory, but before that, the players should realise that a win can only be achieved by scoring goals.Samaria and his assistant Wagga Wagga Goagoseb will have themselves to blame if the side goes down, because they can easily find a winning combination from the talented 22 players in the squad.
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