Warriors race against time

BRAVE Warriors coach Ben Bamfuchile this week put his players through a rigorous training session to get them in shape in time for their African Nations Cup clash against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa next weekend.

The Warriors only have one more week to prepare before meeting the Ethiopians, after only going into camp last Saturday. Bamfuchile said he has adapted his training method because of the short preparation time – first physically conditioning them while, they also had to concentrate on playing the game and work on tactics.He said the two weeks are not sufficient and he would have preferred the team to be in camp at least three weeks before the match.The training camp started late because of financial difficulties.Bamfuchile said the local players have responded positively to what was demanded from them and he thinks that with some warm-up matches in South Africa next week, they will reach the required peak.He said the foreign internationals have been involved in several matches already and their pre-season training at their clubs has helped them.”We don’t worry too much about the guys outside.They have been playing regularly and they will be expected to do a good job on match day,” he said.He said German-based midfielder Oliver Risser, who is now clubless, has confirmed that he will be joining the team as he has been training for another club in the meantime.He said South African-based defender Richard Gariseb, who plays for premiership side Bidvest Wits, called and said that he was not 100 per cent fit, but vowed to give his best for the side.Bamfuchile said they still have to decide on Gariseb’s fate, while Jomo Cosmos midfielder Sidney Plaatjies and Norwegian-based Quinton Jacobs will join the team.Jacobs will fly directly to Ethiopia.The final squad will be announced today, as only 18 players will be required to travel to Ethiopia.Namibia is left with one last encounter against Ethiopia in the Nations Cup qualifiers, in which a win will determine their entry into the 2008 finals in Ghana, while a loss will see them out.The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) top Group 10 with 8 points, Namibia is second with 7 points.Bamfuchile said he has adapted his training method because of the short preparation time – first physically conditioning them while, they also had to concentrate on playing the game and work on tactics.He said the two weeks are not sufficient and he would have preferred the team to be in camp at least three weeks before the match.The training camp started late because of financial difficulties.Bamfuchile said the local players have responded positively to what was demanded from them and he thinks that with some warm-up matches in South Africa next week, they will reach the required peak.He said the foreign internationals have been involved in several matches already and their pre-season training at their clubs has helped them.”We don’t worry too much about the guys outside.They have been playing regularly and they will be expected to do a good job on match day,” he said.He said German-based midfielder Oliver Risser, who is now clubless, has confirmed that he will be joining the team as he has been training for another club in the meantime.He said South African-based defender Richard Gariseb, who plays for premiership side Bidvest Wits, called and said that he was not 100 per cent fit, but vowed to give his best for the side.Bamfuchile said they still have to decide on Gariseb’s fate, while Jomo Cosmos midfielder Sidney Plaatjies and Norwegian-based Quinton Jacobs will join the team.Jacobs will fly directly to Ethiopia.The final squad will be announced today, as only 18 players will be required to travel to Ethiopia.Namibia is left with one last encounter against Ethiopia in the Nations Cup qualifiers, in which a win will determine their entry into the 2008 finals in Ghana, while a loss will see them out.The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) top Group 10 with 8 points, Namibia is second with 7 points.