Warriors eager for Bafana

THE Brave Warriors are undaunted by the prospect of meeting a strong South African side in an international football friendly at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on August 16.

Namibian coach Ben Bamfuchile said the experienced Bafana Bafana side would give his team the exposure they need to perform at the highest level. South Africa have named a strong team for the match that includes former Porto striker Benni McCarthy, who recently moved to English side Blackburn Rovers, and former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune, who is now with English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers.The two countries are using the match to prepare for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, which start in September.”It’s good that South Africa are bringing along a strong team for the friendly match.They have players of note who have played at the highest level.This is a challenge for us and it will give the boys the necessary exposure.It’s not about winning, but about giving your best.This match will set us up for our tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers,” Bamfuchile said.He said the first foreign-based Namibian players were expected to arrive yesterday, and all should be in camp by Monday.Goalie Athiel Mbaha, defender Hartman Toromba and striker Costa Khaiseb, who are all with South African PSL club Black Leopards, were all due to arrive yesterday.Bamfuchile has called up 19 locally based players for the match and has named 10 foreign-based players in the team.”There is a lot of potential in the team.The foreign-based players are coming, but I might not use all of them in the match.Sometimes it’s difficult when you call them up and have to leave them on the bench, but then again, it also provides opportunities for some of the local players,” he said.Bamfuchile is working hard to clamp down on player indiscipline.He said he hoped the indiscipline showed by some of the members of the Brave Warriors in the Cosafa Cup tournament last month would not resurface.Some of the players were suspended for absconding from camp.He said except for Turkish-based Razundara Tjikuzu, all the players who had been suspended for indiscipline had written letters of apology.www.namibiasport.com.naSouth Africa have named a strong team for the match that includes former Porto striker Benni McCarthy, who recently moved to English side Blackburn Rovers, and former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune, who is now with English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers.The two countries are using the match to prepare for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, which start in September.”It’s good that South Africa are bringing along a strong team for the friendly match.They have players of note who have played at the highest level.This is a challenge for us and it will give the boys the necessary exposure.It’s not about winning, but about giving your best.This match will set us up for our tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers,” Bamfuchile said.He said the first foreign-based Namibian players were expected to arrive yesterday, and all should be in camp by Monday.Goalie Athiel Mbaha, defender Hartman Toromba and striker Costa Khaiseb, who are all with South African PSL club Black Leopards, were all due to arrive yesterday.Bamfuchile has called up 19 locally based players for the match and has named 10 foreign-based players in the team.”There is a lot of potential in the team.The foreign-based players are coming, but I might not use all of them in the match.Sometimes it’s difficult when you call them up and have to leave them on the bench, but then again, it also provides opportunities for some of the local players,” he said.Bamfuchile is working hard to clamp down on player indiscipline.He said he hoped the indiscipline showed by some of the members of the Brave Warriors in the Cosafa Cup tournament last month would not resurface.Some of the players were suspended for absconding from camp.He said except for Turkish-based Razundara Tjikuzu, all the players who had been suspended for indiscipline had written letters of apology.www.namibiasport.com.na