WINDHOEK – Namibia’s national under 17 girls’ team is preparing for its first leg 2016 FIFA preliminary round tie against Botswana on 29 November.
The u17 girls will face their opponents in Gaborone, Botswana, with the return leg of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) match a week later in Windhoek.
A statement issued by the Namibia Football Association (NFA) on Thursday said despite school commitments, the 27 girls are training hard at the NFA Technical Centre in the capital.
Team coach Mervin Mbakera was quoted as saying it will be a tough game for them.
“It will be the first time for these girls to play away in such a match but we have the obligation to make sure we do well in Botswana. A win will be great but we need at least a draw away from home.
“The girls are focused and enjoying themselves, but we have a long way to go and are working very hard on that,” he said.
Mbakera, however, noted that education comes first and so the players have time to study and write their exams as well.
The winner of this encounter will advance to the first round where they will meet Nigeria early January next year. The winner of that fixture will face Zambia or South Africa in a final bid to book a place in the fifth edition of the u17 Women’s World Cup set for Jordan.
Africa will only be represented by three countries at the championship.
The team will play a preparatory friendly match against Namibia’s senior women’s shadow team on Saturday at the same technical centre.
The u17 girls are:
Goalkeepers: Batista Kasume and Vitjitua Tijvau (Galz Goals)
Defenders: Veronica Van Wyk (Omaheke Queens); Anna Shaende; Vanessa !Noreses; Sharon Pieter and Helena Shuumbwa (Galz Goals); Jasmine Baas (St. Paul College); and Selma Enkali (Swakopmund FC).
Midfielders: Ignacia Haoses (Tura Magic); Beverly Uueziua; Asteria Angula; Farida Eises; Ashley Solomons; Shanice Daries and Mbitjita Mungunda (Galz Goals).
Strikers: Julia Rutjindo (Galz Goals); Moriza Gawanas and Yvonne Kooper (Tura Magic); Kylie van Wyk (Swakopmund FC) and Lucinda Agas (Omaheke Queens).
Reserve players:
Christa Januarie; Christophine Hanse and Mercia Skrywer (Mariental); Bianca Van Wyk (Galz Goals); Chantel Munyengwa (Windhoek City Girls) and Cathy Geingos (Unam Bokkies). – Nampa
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