Warriors not brave enough

NAMIBIA failed to capitalise on the many chances they created in the first half and as a result had to be content with a 1-all draw against Swaziland during a lacklustre international friendly played in front of a half empty Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday.

The two sides finished the first half a goal-apiece.Thye draw came despite individual brilliance from players like Rudolf Bester, who constantly threatened the opposition’s rear-guard with his speed and brilliant touches on the ball, Razundara Tjikuzu, who shined in his new play-maker role and right-back Hartman Toromba, who excelled both in the defence as well as in the attack.It will also be unfair not to mention goalkeeper Athiel Mbaha who did great job in keeping the Swaziland attackers from his goallines, apart from the defensive laps which saw the visitors scoring from a free-kick shortly before the break.The two sides started the opening stanza cautiously as they tried to outwit each other with short-passes in the middle of the playing field, however, it was the Brave Warriors who looked more dangerous on the counter-attack.German-based skipper Colin Benjamin, excelled in his holding-midfielder role as he shielded the ball well with his powerful frame while connecting well with his other midfield partners like Sidney Plaatjies, Paulus Shipanga and Tjikuzu.In fact, left wing-back Plaatjies squandered most of the many chances Namibia created, which can be attributed to fact that the former Blue Waters star lacked confidence due to a lack of game time with his South African club Mamelodi Sundowns.However, Shipanga who played on the right side of midfield, showed excellent pace and skill on the ball as he tormented his Swaziland marker at will and sent in useful high crosses which Platinum Stars striker Henrico Botes failed to capitalise on.Botes, former captain of the national team, had a very disappointing game, way bellow the standards he had set for himself in the Warriors jersey in the past.He simply failed to connect with the long crosses from the wings and given his tall frame, he did not trouble the Swaziland defence on the high balls.His striking partner Bester turned out to be the crowd favourite as they enjoyed every moment he was in possession of the ball and his off the ball running, was a marvel to watch as he caused mayhem into the Shilangu defence.It came as no surprise that he put his name on the score sheet after a delightful through-ball from Plaatjies, in one of his rare brilliant moments, saw him burning the astroturf with his speed first, before he slid the ball beyond outrushing Swazi goalkeeper Njabuliso Simelane’s reach and into the empty net.The goal, scored in the half hour mark of the encounter, brought the passive crowd to life and chants of hwe want more h suddenly filled the venueCoach Tom Saintfiet’s men still trying to get goal number two to kill off any Swazi resistance but their failure to cause any serious threat to Simelane’s goal boost the visitors confidence who started to attack Mbaha’s goal with more purpose.The referee was still glancing at his watch to blow the half-time whistle when Namibia conceded a silly free-kick just outside the left side of the penalty area.What was expected to be another routine defence for the Namibian defence, in which Oliver Risser and Richard Gariseb shone until then, turned out to be a disaster as Swazi skipper Mxolisi Mtetwa was allowed a free header to nod the ball past a hapless Mbaha.The goal seemed to have blown the fighting spirit from the Brave Warriors while the Swazi players appeared content with a draw as they went on to play a very negative game of disruption and ungentle-man conduct.Namibia had a chance to clinch the encounter but Oliver Risser’s poorly taken spot kick, awarded after a push from a Swazi defender on a Namibian player inside the penalty area, allowed Simelane to dive low to his right to keep the ball from hitting the target.Swaziland, who had their coach Shakes Mashaba ejected from the bench after protesting the penalty, were too happy with the draw given their wild celebrations after the match, while their hosts disappeared into their change-room.The Brave Warriors played well in the opening half, but it will only do them well if their coach put it into their minds that a match is played over two halves.