WINDHOEK
It was all sensation at Hosea Kutako Airport yesterday afternoon as Brave Warriors supporters welcomed the players back home from Ethiopia.
Fans arrived at the airport as early as 08h00 expecting to welcome the Brave Warriors at 09h45 but unfortunately the flight was delayed and only arrived at 16h50.
Despite the delay, the victory in Ethiopia kept the fans patient.
Deputy Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture Pohamba Shifeta congratulated the team saying their exceptional performance had impressed the country.
He said for the team to have qualified for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, that will take place in Ghana in 2008, is a great achievement.
Considering that the Cup of Nations is scheduled for January next year, the deputy minister urged the national team to keep fit until such a time that they will participate in the tournament.
“Train hard, be committed and bring the cup home,” he said.
Warriors coach Ben Bamfuchile expressed his joy over Namibia’s qualification, saying this has brought joy to all Namibians.
He added, “I told the boys that they can do it but it seemed there was some doubt. With words of encouragement, it changed their attitude.”
Bamfuchile who has been in Namibia since 2006 says Namibia has talent but it needs extraction and polishing.
He urged his players not to intoxicate their bodies but to remain fit..
“The tournament will be tough, when you go home do not lose fitness,” he told the players.
Namibia qualified for the 2008 African Nations Cup finals after Brave Warriors’ rookie Muna Katupose scored the winner in the dying minutes of the match against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa over the weekend.
The Warriors’ 3-2 victory combined with the one-all draw between Libya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), secured the Brave Warriors the top spot in Group 10 and an automatic qualification.