Under-17s face South Africa

THE national under-17 side will host South Africa on Sunday at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in a friendly match. Kick-off is at 16h00 and entrance is free The Namibian under-17 squad, who have been together for two years now, will play their final match on home soil as they will be transformed into an under-20 side.

Namibian team manager Jakes Amaning said the match will be an emotional one for the players and they have promised to go out with a bang, sending a warning to the South Africans.’It will be massive for these boys. They played so well in the African under-17 championships qualifiers last year and that was also the first time for Namibia. And now they will bid farewell in style.’The Namibians started with their camp for this encounter on Monday this week at Soccer House with training sessions at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.NFA technical director Klaus Staerk and youth coach William Kapukare are in charge of the team.The team recently played in the Eduardo dos Santos Foundation (FESA) Tournament in Angola, where they managed to finish second behind hosts Angola.The same group of players will represent Namibia at the annual COSAFA under-20 Championship in South Africa in December.The South African team will arrive today at 14h00 at the Hosea Kutako International Airport.The Namibian camping squad: Edward Akwaake, Steven Kahiriri, Sidney Urikhob, Dene Swartz, Petrus Shitembi, Neville Tjiueza, Collin Ndjai, Ikuaterua Tjozongoro, Robinson Iyambo, Randall Goagoseb, Oswaldo Xamseb (captain) , Benson Shilongo, Papi Kavezembi, Joseph Nirenge, Yoldan Martin and Stanley Newman.Meanwhile, top Namibian referee Alex Tiyeho leaves for Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday to attend the Confederation of African Football (CAF) English-Speaking Senior Referees’ Course that gets underway on Sunday until October 3. – NFA Secretariat