Windhoek
As if the ‘Ricardo Mannetti’ blow was not enough, Brave Warriors yesterday suffered another huge blow ahead of their 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) return leg against Zambia, following the hasty withdrawal of Awillo Stephanus from the team.
Awillo, currently one of the experienced and highly influential players in the Warriors squad competing in the CHAN qualifiers, unceremoniously exited the national team camp and jetted out to Thailand where he will be attending trials at Bangkok Glass FC.
With Namibia having won the first leg 2-1 in Windhoek, the Brave Warriors will on July 5 travel to Zambia to confront Chipolopolo for their crucial second leg clash.
Brave Warriors caretaker coach Ronnie Kanalelo yesterday confirmed Awillo’s sudden withdrawal, and admitted that the team has suffered a huge loss in the player’s departure but insisted the technical team would look at other options to fill the void.
“Yes, he withdrew from the team because he has some trials to attend in Thailand. I understand that he will be attending trials at Lazarus Kaimbi’s club Bangkok Glass FC, with the hope of securing a lucrative deal that side. As coach, I really tried my level best to convince Awillo to stay until we are done with the Zambia assignment and then fly from Lusaka to Thailand but he was not in agreement. So, what can I do? I can’t stand in the way of a player and his dreams,” said Kanalelo.
“We respect his decision, what is left for us is to march ahead and focus on the task at hand, which is the Zambia match. We have various options in that position but we will be very careful not to just field a player for the sake of filling the gap but our aim is to field a player that will have an impact and help the team get the desired result.”
Focusing on the Zambia match, Kanalelo had earlier told reporters that: “I’m satisfied with the win and going forward we now have to make sure we get a draw in Lusaka. Anything is possible and we have the players to make sure of it. We can still score as well and we need to make sure we go there well prepared knowing what we have to do and do it well. The team has been much disciplined at times and hopefully, going there the same discipline will show and we can march on,” Kanalelo said after the first leg victory.
The winner of the match between Namibia and Zambia will meet the winner of the match between Mozambique and Seychelles for a place in Rwanda 2016 CHAN.