Windhoek
Brave Warriors will confront Senegal in their 2017 AFCON Qualifier in Windhoek on Saturday without the valuable services of talisman Benson “Styles” Shilongo.
Attempts to get the stylish goal-poacher who plies his trade with Botswana club Gaborone United proved futile as the lanky dreadlocked failed to recover sufficiently from a recent head injury, as he suffered a concussion during a club match last weekend.
Warriors mentor Bucksy Mannetti confirmed Shilongo’s unavailability going into Namibia’s second qualifying match in the continental Group K against the Lions of Teranga at the Sam Nujoma stadium.
“It’s a big blow for us, because we were hoping he will get better and be ready to play but our medical team concluded it would not be wise to field him. We’ll just have to soldier on and see how we can move forward”.
Despite the setback, the former Santos (SA) midfield anchorman says he has options for Shilongo’s replacement, adding that he will make a final decision before match day. “I will announce the final match day squad later tomorrow (Thursday) and the general public will know the identity of the players selected for the crucial tie against the visiting Senegalese side”.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that towering defender, Dudes Mwedihanga, missed training yesterday due to a slight injury, but the University of Pretoria (AmaTuks) centre-back defender is expected to resume training with the rest of the squad today.
“There were fears that he suffered a fractured bone in his foot, but the x-ray scans have proven the contrary, so he will start training on Thursday. The medical team is burning the midnight oil to ensure all players remain healthy and sharp as possible,” Mannetti elaborated.
Meanwhile, Senegal arrived in Windhoek on Tuesday and enjoyed their first training session at the artificial pitch at the Sam Nujoma stadium yesterday. The team will confront South Africa’s Bafana Bafana for the Nelson Mandela Challenge in Johannesburg, next Tuesday en route to Dakar.
Match tickets for the regional champions’ penultimate match against the Teranga Lions this weekend costs N$40 per person and are available at Computicket outlets and can also be obtained from Football House.