Warriors shoot to win

TARGET shooting paid off handsomely for the Brave Warriors when their three goals in their 4-2 victory over Zimbabwe, came through screaming shots from afar in their last match of the 2010 World Cup/African Nations Cup qualifiers at the Independence Stadium on Saturday.

The win closed the chapter on an unsuccessful campaign which saw the Warriors only winning two from their six matches. The half-time score was 3-0.Brave Warriors leading goal-getter Wilko Risser was the first to put his name on the score sheet with a well taken 25-metre power drive that hit the roof of the net, leaving second-choice Zimbabwean goalkeeper, Tapuwa Kadini, with no chance in the 18th minute.Risser took his chance at goal during open play in what could be described as one of his best goals for the side, which brought joy to at least 4 000 Namibians supporters who graced the stadium on the day.The opening goal came barely a minute after Namibia survived a goal bound shot that hit the upright after a clever run and cross by the tricky Quincy Antipas from the right flank.Serbian-based centre forward Rudolph Bester wasted little time in making his mark for Namibia when he also found the net from a distance, after attacking midfielder Sidney Plaatjies delivered a quick but crisp pass into his path in the 30th minute of the match.The goal gave the Namibians the upper hand in midfield dominance which was effectively controlled by the in form Namibian captain, Collin Benjamin.Right winger Paulus Shipanga made good use of his powerful right foot to drive a scorcher into the net from a free kick in the 42nd minute.It was a top of the deck thunder shot considering the rather acute angle it was unleashed from.That goal seemed to have totally broken down the morale of the visitors, who were left languishing aimlessly in all departments, while they easily give away possession as the first half drew to a close.The Namibians virtually dominated the entire first half with a well marshalled backline by George Hummel and Richard Gariseb in the heart of defence, Hartman Toromba on the left and Ivan Namaseb on the right.Benjamin showed his experience and his work- rate in the middle of the park paid dividends as he kept matters intact, while midfield dynamo Quinton Jacobs had a more free role as a distributor by trying to supply his forwards with clean balls.The steady, well co-ordinated defence by Namibia underlined their superb communication skills and awareness as they did not allow Zimbabwean danger men, such as Gilbert Mushangazike and Tinashe Nengomashe to even try their luck at goal.Also, referee Koman Coulibaly from Mali was on top of things and his handling of the match was top class.Namibia stormed into the second half with fierce attacks coming from the right wing by Shipanga, culminating in their fourth goal that came via a header by Risser at close range.It was not long after Mamelodi Sundowns strongman Esrom Nyandoro sliced in a header to record Zimbabwe’s opening goal after no-one marked him in the box.That goal was followed up with another at least 10 minutes later by Cuzibert Mahjila who shot past an unsuspecting Namibian defence to bring the score to 4-2.The entire second half almost drifted to a standstill with few chances being created by both sides, but rapid substitutions by both coaches midway through the half brought some life back into the match.That however did not last too long as both sides laboured their way in anticipation of the final whistle.The result somehow restored Namibia’s dented home record and it was also the first win by Saintfiet on home turf.The half-time score was 3-0.Brave Warriors leading goal-getter Wilko Risser was the first to put his name on the score sheet with a well taken 25-metre power drive that hit the roof of the net, leaving second-choice Zimbabwean goalkeeper, Tapuwa Kadini, with no chance in the 18th minute.Risser took his chance at goal during open play in what could be described as one of his best goals for the side, which brought joy to at least 4 000 Namibians supporters who graced the stadium on the day.The opening goal came barely a minute after Namibia survived a goal bound shot that hit the upright after a clever run and cross by the tricky Quincy Antipas from the right flank.Serbian-based centre forward Rudolph Bester wasted little time in making his mark for Namibia when he also found the net from a distance, after attacking midfielder Sidney Plaatjies delivered a quick but crisp pass into his path in the 30th minute of the match.The goal gave the Namibians the upper hand in midfield dominance which was effectively controlled by the in form Namibian captain, Collin Benjamin.Right winger Paulus Shipanga made good use of his powerful right foot to drive a scorcher into the net from a free kick in the 42nd minute.It was a top of the deck thunder shot considering the rather acute angle it was unleashed from.That goal seemed to have totally broken down the morale of the visitors, who were left languishing aimlessly in all departments, while they easily give away possession as the first half drew to a close.The Namibians virtually dominated the entire first half with a well marshalled backline by George Hummel and Richard Gariseb in the heart of defence, Hartman Toromba on the left and Ivan Namaseb on the right.Benjamin showed his experience and his work- rate in the middle of the park paid dividends as he kept matters intact, while midfield dynamo Quinton Jacobs had a more free role as a distributor by trying to supply his forwards with clean balls.The steady, well co-ordinated defence by Namibia underlined their superb communication skills and awareness as they did not allow Zimbabwean danger men, such as Gilbert Mushangazike and Tinashe Nengomashe to even try their luck at goal.Also, referee Koman Coulibaly from Mali was on top of things and his handling of the match was top class.Namibia stormed into the second half with fierce attacks coming from the right wing by Shipanga, culminating in their fourth goal that came via a header by Risser at close range.It was not long after Mamelodi Sundowns strongman Esrom Nyandoro sliced in a header to record Zimbabwe’s opening goal after no-one marked him in the box.That goal was followed up with another at least 10 minutes later by Cuzibert Mahjila who shot past an unsuspecting Namibian defence to bring the score to 4-2.The entire second half almost drifted to a standstill with few chances being created by both sides, but rapid substitutions by both coaches midway through the half brought some life back into the match.That however did not last too long as both sides laboured their way in anticipation of the final whistle.The result somehow restored Namibia’s dented home record and it was also the first win by Saintfiet on home turf.