Warriors to face Zimbabwe

BRAVE Warriors coach Ben Bamfuchile will field more locally based players when Namibia takes on Zimbabwe’s Warriors in an international friendly match at the National Sport Stadium in Harare tomorrow.

Bamfuchile told The Namibian Sport yesterday that he wants to give the local players the needed exposure on the international level. “I am going to use this match to make the players become familiar with the conditions on international level.Although Zimbabwe is a tough contender, it will be good for the local players to get the necessary experience on that level,” he said.Bamfuchile also asked four foreign-based players – striker Costa Khaiseb, defender Hartman Toromba, midfielder Oliver Risser and goalkeeper Zico Paulus – to join the team.He said he wanted them to beef up the team because Zimbabwe would be difficult to crack at home.Khaiseb and Toromba play in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL), while Paulus plays for Jomo Cosmos, also in the same league.Risser is reported to be playing in a lower division side in Germany.Bamfuchile, who has a record of two wins and two losses since his appointment as the national coach this year, said he has a high regard for Zimbabwe and will take the match seriously despite it only being a friendly.”They are a good side and will possibly have a lot of their professionals.They have been a strong side for a couple of years now and we are not going to take them lightly.But the most important thing is to give the locals a chance to get used to the game at that level.”In the absence of Henrico Botes, who was suspended after the Ethiopia match in Windhoek, it is not yet known who will captain the team.Most of the players who did duty for the country in their last four international matches will be available, with Tigers midfielder Letu Shatimuene expected to lead the midfield this time.He will be partnered by Ramblers midfielder Victor Helu and Brian Gurirab of Civics, while Khaiseb and Tigers hitman Nelson Akwenye are expected to lead the attack.Akwenye plays behind the strikers for his league club, but can be an effective scorer when put in front.Bamfuchile will also have Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) striker Arent von Stryk in his squad, while Johannes Seibeb of African Stars can also be employed upfront.He has an array of competent defenders in Toromba, Michael Pienaar of Ramblers, Franklin April of Civics and Gerry Keister of Ramblers.Black Africa goalkeeper Arnold Subeb, who has been sidelined by a knee injury for months, will possibly get the nod as he has fully recovered and is showing his old form in goal.Subeb will be complemented by Paulus in that department.”I am going to use this match to make the players become familiar with the conditions on international level.Although Zimbabwe is a tough contender, it will be good for the local players to get the necessary experience on that level,” he said.Bamfuchile also asked four foreign-based players – striker Costa Khaiseb, defender Hartman Toromba, midfielder Oliver Risser and goalkeeper Zico Paulus – to join the team.He said he wanted them to beef up the team because Zimbabwe would be difficult to crack at home.Khaiseb and Toromba play in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL), while Paulus plays for Jomo Cosmos, also in the same league.Risser is reported to be playing in a lower division side in Germany.Bamfuchile, who has a record of two wins and two losses since his appointment as the national coach this year, said he has a high regard for Zimbabwe and will take the match seriously despite it only being a friendly.”They are a good side and will possibly have a lot of their professionals.They have been a strong side for a couple of years now and we are not going to take them lightly.But the most important thing is to give the locals a chance to get used to the game at that level.”In the absence of Henrico Botes, who was suspended after the Ethiopia match in Windhoek, it is not yet known who will captain the team.Most of the players who did duty for the country in their last four international matches will be available, with Tigers midfielder Letu Shatimuene expected to lead the midfield this time.He will be partnered by Ramblers midfielder Victor Helu and Brian Gurirab of Civics, while Khaiseb and Tigers hitman Nelson Akwenye are expected to lead the attack.Akwenye plays behind the strikers for his league club, but can be an effective scorer when put in front.Bamfuchile will also have Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) striker Arent von Stryk in his squad, while Johannes Seibeb of African Stars can also be employed upfront.He has an array of competent defenders in Toromba, Michael Pienaar of Ramblers, Franklin April of Civics and Gerry Keister of Ramblers.Black Africa goalkeeper Arnold Subeb, who has been sidelined by a knee injury for months, will possibly get the nod as he has fully recovered and is showing his old form in goal.Subeb will be complemented by Paulus in that department.