Windhoek
The national U/20 women’s team ready to compete against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday in Kinshasa as they plan to negotiate their way to the 2016 FIFA Women Under-20 World Cup in Papua New Guinea.
Coach Bertus Bock is, however, realistic about his team’s chances of winning away from home and admitted they anticipate a hostile environment in Kinshasa.
“We will go there to compete. It won’t be an easy game. It will be extra tough for us, as our girls play away from home in a front of big hostile crowd. They might be overwhelmed by the atmosphere, but we’ve prepared them, talked to them and we expect great discipline and dedication from the girls”, he said.
Bock adds that the team will also use the match to bid farewell to former Young Gladiator, Alberta ‘Chicken’ Dawes, who will be laid to rest on Saturday at the Pioneers Park Cemetery in the capital. A memorial service was held for Dawes on Wednesday night at Football House.
“The players are committed to making sure they send their friend, Alberta, to heaven in great style. They will do their best for their country and for her memory. She was part of the team last year and a friend to most of the girls in the current team,” Bock explained.
On a lighter note, the Young Gladiators will count on experienced players such as the returnee from Germany, Memory Ngonda, who starred for the Brave Gladiators during the 2014 CAF Women Championship in Windhoek last October.
“Memory’s experience will come in handy. She is versatile and we will try to use her to the benefit of the team.
But again, it’s a team sport and we will need her to bring the others into the game and ensure we get what we want. A win will be a bonus, but a draw will be good enough as well,” the former Tura Magic and Orlando Pirates mentor said.
The 18-member squad is as follows: Asteria Angula, Mellissa Matheus, Beverly Uueziua, Memory Ngonda, Millicent Hikuam, Kamunikire Tjituka, Annouscka Kordom, Merolda Bester, Lydiana Nanamus, Ivonne Kooper, Fransisca Haoses, Alicia Gertze, Cadisha Kazimbu, Annouscka Meyer, Lucinda Kasume, Bernadette Dennis, Anna Shaende and Eddelsisingh Naris.