WINDHOEK – Brave Warriors assistant coach, Mohammed ‘Slice’ Ouseb, has expressed satisfaction with the way the new crop of youngsters are jelling and learning from their seniors, saying a victory is their only objective when Namibia takes on Swaziland in an international friendly match at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, tomorrow at 20h00.
Ouseb assured that the youngsters are well aware of what a possible victory would mean for the team and the entire nation, and thus they know what to do in order to get the desired results.
“We have a plan going into tomorrow’s game and the boys are getting it right so far. I’m also glad to say the senior players have done a remarkable job in making things easy for the younger players, who will be exposed to a much bigger stage and things are looking quite good at the moment,” said Ouseb.
Ouseb, one of Namibia’s most decorated former footballers, expects the youngsters to deliver their best performance as they are the same players who will feature for the country in the upcoming U/23 qualifiers later this year, thus consistency is needed.
“We are giving the boys a big opportunity to test and prove themselves. They have big qualifiers coming up and to be involved in these international senior games is something good for them. With all this experience and coming down to your age group will come in handy, but other countries are doing it already so we need to step up as well” explains Ouseb, who is also an assistant to Woody Jacobs at the national U/23s.
Warriors captain, Stigga Ketjijere equally conceded that the team has worked hard and is ready for the match. “We have the responsibility as senior players to make it easy for the new guys as the stage is big for them. We know what it takes to play at this level, that’s why we need to make them understand and help them play a calm game,”
Ketjijere called on the entire nation to come in big numbers and cheer for the team. “We will need all the support we can get from our fans. We are playing at home and the team will appreciate the support from every Namibian. Such support puts us at ease and motivates us to do well,” concludes Ketjijere.
At the training session, all 23 players called were in practice and full of energy as the senior players such as Henrico Botes, Rudolph Bester, Willem Mwedihanga, Lazarus Kaimbi and Chris Katjiukua continuously shared expertise with the youngsters.
The match will be played on Wednesday night at 20h00 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium and tickets are going for N$ 40 each at all Computicket outlets at Shoprite and Checkers stores countrywide. – Additional reporting: nfa.org.na