Windhoek
The Namibia women U/20 football team preparations for their upcoming FIFA World Cup U-20 qualifier against DR Congo was partly hampered by a narrow 1-0 defeat against the visiting Westphalia ladies on Tuesday at the NFA Technical Centre.
According to Namibia coach Bertus Bock the team will be ready for DR Congo come July 11 in Kinshasa.
“The ladies played very well today. They played according to the plan and their fighting spirit was so great. The way they knocked the ball around and passes, it is motivating and promising indeed”, says Bock.
“We have a lot of inexperienced players in the team but the more friendlies we play, the more we can improve. We also need someone who can be reliable in terms of getting the goals. We are creating chances but the finishing remains a problem”, Bock states.
Westphalia midfielder Marie Muller got the only goal of the match in the 90th minute when she placed a low shot into the far post past goalkeeper Mellissa Matheus from about 35 metres out.
After going a goal down, the locals fought back and matched their opponents in almost all departments, with the likes of 2014 CAF Women Championship Brave Gladiators star midfield kingpin and Westphalia returnee, Memory Ngonda and the combative Asteria Angula fighting for every ball. Captain Emma Naris too had a great game in defense together with Kamunikire Tjituka and Annouscka Kordom, among others.
Up next is Westphalia against the national senior team the Brave Gladiators on Friday afternoon at 16h00 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.