By Confidence Musa WINDHOEK The Brave Warriors camp yesterday welcomed the country’s number one supporter, the hilarious Robbie Savage. The doinky Savage was officially introduced to the national team coach by goalkeepers’ coach Ronnie Kanalelo at the Sam Nujoma Stadium. The theatrical Robbie had gone into self-exile from the national teams a fortnight ago after betraying the Under 20 national side during the Zone Six Games where he openly supported South African teams. “You ignored me during the Under 20 games,” joked coach Ben Bamfuchile as he shook hands with Robbie, adding, “I am glad you have finally arrived, I heard a lot about you from all the players.” Robbie Savage is the reigning 2005 Football Supporters’ Award recipient, from the NFA. No sooner had Robbie arrived than his humourous displays were engineered yesterday at the training session. Robbie predicted a 4-nil victory for the Brave Warriors past the Pirates of Seychelles on Saturday. “Piennar (Michael) and Heini Isaacks will also score,” he predicted. Robbie said his presence at yesterday’s practice was to open relations with the new coach and be friends. “I like the guy he is a good coach. I am also happy that the black Germany has joined us,” said Savage referring to the former Germany-based international Razundara Tjikuzu, who flew in from Turkey yesterday. Robbie has been the epitome of the Brave Warriors victories in the past. He flew with the Brave Warriors to the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso and surprised all and sundry when he joined the then Prime Minister Hage Geingob to inspect a Burkina Faso guard of honour. As Robbie mingled with the players yesterday, his talismanic touch could be easily felt, as he spoke to all the players advising some on marital affairs and cautioning some players on their alcoholic intake. Looking as comical as ever, Robbie seemed to be what the national team would need, ahead of a relatively unknown Seychelles on Saturday. The 32-year-old Robbie was quick to observe that among the offloaded players, the coach had decided to remove midfielders only and rightly observed that of the dropped players, Victor Helu and Nelson Geingob were both born on the same day – 06 April 1982. Unlike on the eve of last year’s ill-fated Cosafa edition when he blasted the technical team for dropping seasoned players, Robbie was diplomatic this time. “We have a good team, they just have to play to the wings, lock the ball at the back and restart from the wings,” he said. Barking orders from the touchline as is his characteristic, Robbie said his final assessment of the team was excellent and he will hope to see the ‘white German’, Oliver Riseh joining this squad in the near future.
2006-07-192024-04-23By Staff Reporter