Warriors beefed up for Libya

THE Brave Warriors have been beefed up with the arrival of five foreign-based players ahead of the African Nations Cup qualifier against Libya at the Independence Stadium on Saturday.

The players who joined the camp yesterday were midfielder Robert Nauseb from South African-based Santos, midfielder Oliver Risser from Germany’s lower-division side Bonner SC and Collin Benjamin, from Germany’s Hamburg SV. Former Blue Waters winger Meraai Swartbooi also joined the squad from Angola’s Premeiro de Agosto, while Sidney Plaatjies from Jomo Cosmos in South Africa also arrived.Plaatjies did not attend the morning session with the team yesterday, as he only arrived later in the day.The foreign-based players who have been with the side are defenders Hartman Toromba from Black Leopards in South Africa and George Hummel, who turns out for Moroka Swallows, also in South Africa.The other player who also joined earlier is Abisai Shiningayamwe, who also plays for Jomo Cosmos in South Africa.Hummel, Toromba and Shiningayamwe all played in the international friendly match against Zambia in which Namibia lost 2-1 at the weekend.The team now has 26 players in camp and coach Ben Bamfuchile and his technical staff are expected to trim it to only 20 players today.In total, there are eight professional players, with the rest playing in the domestic premiership, while three play for the Namibian lower divisions.There is a battle for places in midfield and in defence, while there is still a question mark on who will be leading the attack against Libya on Saturday.Namibia currently struggles with a key frontman after the suspension of Henrico Botes last year, possibly the only striker who fearlessly took on defenders.At the moment, Bamfuchile will heavily rely on Swartbooi, who in fact plays as a left winger, while Muna Katupose (identical twin brother of Tara, who is also in the side) will be another option to lead the attack.Plaatjies also plays on the left wing and depending on his sharpness, he will be guaranteed a place as a central attacker.Orlando Pirates striker Edian Beukes, who also plays on the left wing, can also be used in that role, depending on whether Swartbooi or Plaatjies are moved inside as the central attackers.Tara Katupose is another option for the left wing position, but it will still prove an uphill battle for Namibia to obtain goals as there is no real hitman.Black Africa striker Jerome Louis can be a dependable character in front of goal, but his lack of international experience will be a factor, while there is no uncertainty about the fitness level of Eleven Arrows midfielder Rudolph Bester.Eddy Masweu, who plays for Namib Chiefs, will be eligible but lacks big-match temperament and his experience is still wanting.The striking force will largely depend on the formation that the technical staff decide to use on the day.Namibia naturally relies on the power of its midfielders, who are equally capable of scoring goals.The fight for places in midfield will be decided among a host of players including Letu Shatimuene, Johannes Seibeb, Oliver Risser, Brian Brendell, Jamu Ngatjizeko, Victor Helu, Patrick Jagger, Benjamin and Nauseb.The defenders will not have any exception as both Franklin April and Jeremia Mbaisako will square up for the left midfield position, while spots in the rest of the back line are open to all.Ramblers’ no-nonsense defender Michael Pienaar, African Stars’ hardman Mali Ngarizemo, Blue Waters’ youngster Gotlieb Nakuta and the experienced Hummel will have to impress at today’s practice to make the cut.Goalkeeper Shiningayamwe and SKW’s Heribert Kapeng will have to fight it out to determine who will be keeping goal.Former Blue Waters winger Meraai Swartbooi also joined the squad from Angola’s Premeiro de Agosto, while Sidney Plaatjies from Jomo Cosmos in South Africa also arrived.Plaatjies did not attend the morning session with the team yesterday, as he only arrived later in the day.The foreign-based players who have been with the side are defenders Hartman Toromba from Black Leopards in South Africa and George Hummel, who turns out for Moroka Swallows, also in South Africa.The other player who also joined earlier is Abisai Shiningayamwe, who also plays for Jomo Cosmos in South Africa.Hummel, Toromba and Shiningayamwe all played in the international friendly match against Zambia in which Namibia lost 2-1 at the weekend.The team now has 26 players in camp and coach Ben Bamfuchile and his technical staff are expected to trim it to only 20 players today.In total, there are eight professional players, with the rest playing in the domestic premiership, while three play for the Namibian lower divisions.There is a battle for places in midfield and in defence, while there is still a question mark on who will be leading the attack against Libya on Saturday.Namibia currently struggles with a key frontman after the suspension of Henrico Botes last year, possibly the only striker who fearlessly took on defenders.At the moment, Bamfuchile will heavily rely on Swartbooi, who in fact plays as a left winger, while Muna Katupose (identical twin brother of Tara, who is also in the side) will be another option to lead the attack.Plaatjies also plays on the left wing and depending on his sharpness, he will be guaranteed a place as a central attacker.Orlando Pirates striker Edian Beukes, who also plays on the left wing, can also be used in that role, depending on whether Swartbooi or Plaatjies are moved inside as the central attackers.Tara Katupose is another option for the left wing position, but it will still prove an uphill battle for Namibia to obtain goals as there is no real hitman.Black Africa striker Jerome Louis can be a dependable character in front of goal, but his lack of international experience will be a factor, while there is no uncertainty about the fitness level of Eleven Arrows midfielder Rudolph Bester.Eddy Masweu, who plays for Namib Chiefs, will be eligible but lacks big-match temperament and his experience is still wanting.The striking force will largely depend on the formation that the technical staff decide to use on the day.Namibia naturally relies on the power of its midfielders, who are equally capable of scoring goals.The fight for places in midfield will be decided among a host of players including Letu Shatimuene, Johannes Seibeb, Oliver Risser, Brian Brendell, Jamu Ngatjizeko, Victor Helu, Patrick Jagger, Benjamin and Nauseb.The defenders will not have any exception as both Franklin April and Jeremia Mbaisako will square up for the left midfield position, while spots in the rest of the back line are open to all.Ramblers’ no-nonsense defender Michael Pienaar, African Stars’ hardman Mali Ngarizemo, Blue Waters’ youngster Gotlieb Nakuta and the experienced Hummel will have to impress at today’s practice to make the cut.Goalkeeper Shiningayamwe and SKW’s Heribert Kapeng will have to fight it out to determine who will be keeping goal.