Maqonda Ndlovu
Brave Warriors head coach Collin Benjamin says there are so many positives to take from the match despite losing 5-4 on penalties to Zimbabwe in a match that formed part of activities for the inauguration of the Zimbabwean head of state, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The two teams played out a two-all draw in 90 minutes.
Speaking soon after his arrival in Namibia from Zimbabwe yesterday morning, Benjamin said while the team did not start off the match on a good foot following a goal conceded in the second minute of the game after loss of possession, he was happy with how the team responded.
“The young player dribbled in a space where he was not supposed to. I am sure he learned a lesson and will never do it again at international level. You get punished for such mistakes. However, we showed character in the sense that we found the equaliser. We then went to sleep again and conceded a second goal through a set piece. That is becoming an achilles heel for us. We need to work on it,” he said.
Benjamin added that the changes at halftime gave the Brave Warriors an advantage as they started controlling the match and creating good moments to trouble the hosts.
The team was able to close spaces, combine well, and launch effective attacks against a quality Zimbabwe side.
“There were a few good set pieces from Uetuuro (Kambato) who really showed what he is capable of in dead-ball situations. We had a chance to take the lead towards the end of the match, but Edwin (Kambanda) couldn’t take that chance,” he said.
On the penalties, Benjamin said his young players couldn’t handle the pressure, even though goalkeeper Kamainda Ndisiro saved a penalty to put Namibia in the lead during the spot kicks.
On the positive side, the former Hamburger SV player said they managed to give international debuts to six players, most of them youngsters, as the pool of players is becoming bigger, especially for the Chan competition, where a few players have moved out of Namibia.
“I am not really keen on praising youngsters, but a few of them really did put up their hand; hence, we will reward them by taking them to South Africa for the friendly against Bafana. We also showed character and came back twice to equalise. We could have even taken a lead towards the end,” he said.
Benjamin said while there are some positives, there are also concerns, especially conceding goals at the beginning of the match, as this throws their game plan out of the window.
This means that the players have to run more to chase the game, a situation that is not part of their preparation and plans.
“As for the set-piece goals that we concede, we are definitely going to look at that. We have to show responsibility and not pass it on. We need to be awake and alert, work as a team, and minimise these mistakes for the match against South Africa,” he said.
He said as a technical team, they are looking forward to the return of Petrus Shitembi, who has not been around for some time, and Deon Hotto to provide some threat upfront after he scored this past weekend.
Benjamin said he was looking forward to the match against South Africa, who have called themselves their strongest possible team, and he is hoping that his squad of young, hungry players will upset ‘Big Brother’ Bafana Bafana.
The Brave Warriors arrived from Zimbabwe yesterday morning and flew out in the evening to South Africa for the match against South Africa.