Hilma Nalupe
The Namibia U/20 women’s national football team, Young Gladiators, will head into the second leg of their Fifa U/20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Uganda with everything to play for.
The match is scheduled for today at the FUFA Stadium in Kampala, where the Young Gladiators will be looking to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg.
The first leg on Friday proved a tough outing for the Young Gladiators as Uganda capitalised on home advantage to secure a victory.
Namibia struggled to convert their chances, while individual errors at the back gave the hosts the upper hand.
Despite the scoreline, however, the Namibian side showed flashes of determination and resilience, suggesting that the tie is far from over.
Head coach Errol Damaseb praised his team’s effort and insisted the experience gained from the opening match would serve them well ahead of today’s decider.
“I’m proud of my girls. They played well, and although the results didn’t go our way, it’s a learning curve for the team. I’m sure come Monday, we’ll be much better and stronger,” he said.
The Young Gladiators arrived in Kampala last week with high spirits, determined to make their mark on the international stage.
Their preparations included light training sessions to adapt to the hot and humid conditions in Uganda, with a strong emphasis on fitness, discipline and tactical awareness.
For Namibia, the second leg represents more than just a chance at redemption.
It is also an opportunity for a relatively young squad to showcase their growth and maturity under pressure. While the odds may be stacked against them after the first-leg result, the Young Gladiators have vowed to fight until the final whistle.