Warriors Win Lifts Namibian Spirits

IT was very inspiring to see the patriotism with which Namibia’s young team sang the national anthem on a mud-soaked pitch in a cold and distant land.

It was even better when they started giving the Ethiopians as good as they were getting, matching them goal for goal from half time. All the time we wondered how the Namibians would cope with the swamps and lakes on the mudslide pitch, and how soon the lack of oxygen at high altitude (Addis is 2,300-2,500 metres) would sap their strength.No-one could have foreseen the tremendous bravery with which the lads came on very strong in the last quarter, outrunning the Ethiopian team on their home ground and slamming home a very well-deserved goal.Virtually every Namibian in Addis, apart from babies, was there, dressed in Brave Warriors supporters’ shirts, a splash of red in the stadium, waving flags and choosing their moments to outshout the 4,000 odd Ethiopian spectators.First Prime Minister Hage Geingob had also flown in to support the Brave Warriors.No one team member should be singled out, as all played exceptionally well and with lots of courage, making us so proud to be Namibians, and also to say “we were there and witnessed this game”.We shouldn’t be negative about our team – a team is as good as its supporters and we should always be passionate Brave Warriors supporters through good times and bad.But today, congratulations on getting through to the Cup, we Namibians will support you all the way.Bience Gawanas Addis Ababa—–All the time we wondered how the Namibians would cope with the swamps and lakes on the mudslide pitch, and how soon the lack of oxygen at high altitude (Addis is 2,300-2,500 metres) would sap their strength.No-one could have foreseen the tremendous bravery with which the lads came on very strong in the last quarter, outrunning the Ethiopian team on their home ground and slamming home a very well-deserved goal.Virtually every Namibian in Addis, apart from babies, was there, dressed in Brave Warriors supporters’ shirts, a splash of red in the stadium, waving flags and choosing their moments to outshout the 4,000 odd Ethiopian spectators.First Prime Minister Hage Geingob had also flown in to support the Brave Warriors.No one team member should be singled out, as all played exceptionally well and with lots of courage, making us so proud to be Namibians, and also to say “we were there and witnessed this game”.We shouldn’t be negative about our team – a team is as good as its supporters and we should always be passionate Brave Warriors supporters through good times and bad.But today, congratulations on getting through to the Cup, we Namibians will support you all the way.Bience Gawanas Addis Ababa —–