Under-20s to fight for Cosafa places

THE Namibia Football Association (NFA) yesterday announced a squad of 40 players who will be selected to compete in the Cosafa Under-20 tournament in South Africa.

The competition starts on November 29 and runs until December 10. Namibia have never reached the finals of the competition.The Namibian squad of 40, of which only 22 players will ultimately be selected, consists of notable names who are currently playing in the top domestic league, while some are based in South Africa.In the goalkeeping department, African Stars goalie Max Mbaeva will have to fight it out for the first-choice spot against Sidwell Grootboom of Black Africa and Charles Uirab, who is currently unattached.Both Mbaeva and Grootboom are great talents and will be worthy for selection, considering their height and the experience they have picked up at the top level.Mbaeva has also trained with the senior national team before and that makes him the front-runner for the position between the sticks.The other notable names are Brave Warriors defender Gotlieb Nakuta, who currently plays for Blue Waters, and Ivan Makina, who turns out for Orlando Pirates.The two defenders are steadfast and have bright futures ahead of them.In midfield, Wycliff Kambonde, who plays for Jomo Cosmos in South Africa, is another key player in that department, but will be joined by a host of other new entrants who will be fighting for places.Jingle Bells Bezuidenhout, who plays for former premiership side Deportivo Alaves, has also been in the under-20 fold and will be required to make the cut.There will be a lot of competition in the striking department as the promising former Civics striker Eusobio Fredericks would want to cement a permanent place in the junior side.Fredericks, who hails from the Karas Region, has joined Orlando Pirates this season and he will be an asset to the team if selected.The regulars in the junior side include former Blue Waters striker Knowledge Ipinge, who now turns out for Civics, while Brave Warriors identical twin brothers Tara and Muna Katupose will also be vying for positions.The two brothers were part of the Brave Warriors campaign for the African Nations Cup and are now household names after they joined Oshakati City this season.Former Ramblers busy striker Lazarus Kaimbi has also been called up from his Jomo Cosmos side in South Africa.He experience will be valuable in leading the attack for the junior side.Players should report at Soccer House Friday at 18h00.Namibia have never reached the finals of the competition.The Namibian squad of 40, of which only 22 players will ultimately be selected, consists of notable names who are currently playing in the top domestic league, while some are based in South Africa.In the goalkeeping department, African Stars goalie Max Mbaeva will have to fight it out for the first-choice spot against Sidwell Grootboom of Black Africa and Charles Uirab, who is currently unattached.Both Mbaeva and Grootboom are great talents and will be worthy for selection, considering their height and the experience they have picked up at the top level.Mbaeva has also trained with the senior national team before and that makes him the front-runner for the position between the sticks.The other notable names are Brave Warriors defender Gotlieb Nakuta, who currently plays for Blue Waters, and Ivan Makina, who turns out for Orlando Pirates.The two defenders are steadfast and have bright futures ahead of them.In midfield, Wycliff Kambonde, who plays for Jomo Cosmos in South Africa, is another key player in that department, but will be joined by a host of other new entrants who will be fighting for places.Jingle Bells Bezuidenhout, who plays for former premiership side Deportivo Alaves, has also been in the under-20 fold and will be required to make the cut.There will be a lot of competition in the striking department as the promising former Civics striker Eusobio Fredericks would want to cement a permanent place in the junior side.Fredericks, who hails from the Karas Region, has joined Orlando Pirates this season and he will be an asset to the team if selected.The regulars in the junior side include former Blue Waters striker Knowledge Ipinge, who now turns out for Civics, while Brave Warriors identical twin brothers Tara and Muna Katupose will also be vying for positions.The two brothers were part of the Brave Warriors campaign for the African Nations Cup and are now household names after they joined Oshakati City this season.Former Ramblers busy striker Lazarus Kaimbi has also been called up from his Jomo Cosmos side in South Africa.He experience will be valuable in leading the attack for the junior side.Players should report at Soccer House Friday at 18h00.