Even though the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Mobile nt CAF Women’s Championship and others have expressed their readiness to ensure that Namibia hosts a spectacle, tomorrow’s much-anticipated opening ceremony will determine whether or not such assurances can be trusted.
There is absolutely no need to blame any patriotic Namibian’s uncertainty, judging from unfinished stadia, the tortoise-paced issuing of accreditation to local journalists and other logistical hiccups that have left many locals with bated breath as they witness the last-minute ditch to get things done in time heading to the final stretch.
But judging from the high level of commitment characterising the anxiety of the Golden Brave Gladiators for tomorrow’s opening match against Zambia, hope and reliability among Namibians for a good start may just be high.
Expectations for a commendable result will demand effective shooting on target from range, avoidance of showboating when leading by a single goal. Our girls need to demonstrate efficient collaboration for early goals to kill off the match and demoralise the Zambians.
The continental showpiece is just what the good doctor has ordered since it offers the most appropriate platform for Namibia to rescue the mission for the success-starved local football followers, whose various national team’s notably the Brave Warriors, showing in most international football tourneys have been dismal and discouraging for the home supporters.
As a manifestation of its desire and commitment to promote and develop woman football on our shores, the Namibian Football Association (NFA) certainly deserves a pat on the back for its bold step to host an event of such magnitude.
On paper, the Namibian technical staff has packaged a well-balanced decent squad laden with young and experienced footballers and with home ground advantage – the Golden Brave Gladiators should be clear favourites to squeeze their tiny bodies through to the knockout stage of the eight-nation continental competition.
The team was impressive in their 3-1 flogging of Algeria in a warm up match in the Namibian commercial capital, Windhoek last weekend, but that victory can only be justified with a comprehensive win against Zambian at the Sam Nujoma Stadium tomorrow.
Nevertheless, for the love of the beautiful game of football, yours truly would like to join the chorus of those calling for al Namibians to rally behind the LCO and make this event an unforgettable spectacle never seen before in our neck of the woods.
Of course, it will take a collective effort to realise this dream and I would therefore like to urge all the inhabitants wrapped up in this land of the brave to join hands and support this initiative, which has the potential to leave a long lasting legacy behind.
NPL a pretty kettle of fish
The decision by the country’s flagship league, the MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) to kick-start its league activities simultaneously with the nt CAF Women Championship was ill-timed and goes very much against conventional wisdom, so to speak.
The reason advanced that all matches will be outside the boundaries of the Namibian capital is inexcusable and must be condemned as it partly defeats the purpose of mass participation in the continental showpiece.
Football fans from Tsumeb, Rundu, Walvis Bay, Otavi and Otjiwarongo, who could have travelled to Windhoek to watch matches in the CAF Championship, will now have a valid reason not to come to the capital while they have top-notch football dished out right on their doorsteps.
Ja, my broertjie my bra, that’s the people that get to make crucial decisions on the future of our beautiful game. A bloated 16-team league from a population of less than 3 million inhabitants and double headers in a country known for its merciless searing heat during summer.
As if this is not enough, two teams from the same town travelling a distance of close to 500 kilometres to confront each other on foreign soil. What’s next for our football? I rest my case.