Under-17s in equal competition

THE under-17 national side will have an equal footing with the rest of the competitors when the Cosafa Cup for the junior players starts at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday.

Namibia has been drawn in Group C alongside Zimbabwe, Angola and Swaziland and will open their campaign against Zimbabwe at 16h00 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium. The core of the Namibian team consist of the under-15 players who after most who form part of the initial squad were promoted to the under-20 team.Coach Willem Kapukare yesterday told The Namibian Sport that he sees a chance for the team to progress to the next round as they face “relatively equal opposition” in their group.He said some of key players will be sidelined due to injury, but has faith in the current team which will be led by left winger Eslon Kamuhunga as captain.Namibia will play their next match against Swaziland on Sunday, before they take on Angola on Monday.The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday, with the final scheduled for next week Saturday.Kapukare said there are not too many tournaments under the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the region and thus most of the teams in that age group will test themselves for the first time in Windhoek.”We will all go on equal strength in the competition so I foresee a competitive tournament with each team standing a chance to go through to the final,” he said.Meanwhile, Namibian football’s technical director, Seth Boois said the association has laid a proper foundation for coaches in the first and second division leagues where most of the junior players at especially under-20 level are active.Boois said presently, the under-17 leagues which were introduced this year, are only active in the Khomas and Kavango Regions, but other regions, where the Namibia Football Association (NFA) has employed regional development coaches are ready to start with a similar league.The new leagues are set to be registered between April and May next year.”Everything is carefully planned to strengthen our senior national team when that call comes,” said Boois.The core of the Namibian team consist of the under-15 players who after most who form part of the initial squad were promoted to the under-20 team.Coach Willem Kapukare yesterday told The Namibian Sport that he sees a chance for the team to progress to the next round as they face “relatively equal opposition” in their group.He said some of key players will be sidelined due to injury, but has faith in the current team which will be led by left winger Eslon Kamuhunga as captain.Namibia will play their next match against Swaziland on Sunday, before they take on Angola on Monday.The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday, with the final scheduled for next week Saturday.Kapukare said there are not too many tournaments under the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the region and thus most of the teams in that age group will test themselves for the first time in Windhoek.”We will all go on equal strength in the competition so I foresee a competitive tournament with each team standing a chance to go through to the final,” he said.Meanwhile, Namibian football’s technical director, Seth Boois said the association has laid a proper foundation for coaches in the first and second division leagues where most of the junior players at especially under-20 level are active.Boois said presently, the under-17 leagues which were introduced this year, are only active in the Khomas and Kavango Regions, but other regions, where the Namibia Football Association (NFA) has employed regional development coaches are ready to start with a similar league.The new leagues are set to be registered between April and May next year.”Everything is carefully planned to strengthen our senior national team when that call comes,” said Boois.