Brave Warriors’ head coach Collin Benjamin has named a youthful squad, set to begin training on Monday at 16h00 at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Technical Centre.

This is as preparations intensify for the 2024 Cosafa Cup from 4 to 15 June.

Among the returning players is striker Isaskar Gurirab, who currently plays for Zimbabwean outfit Simba Bhora. 

Another notable inclusion is central defender Sisqo Haraseb, who is widely regarded as a solid presence at the back. 

Also making the squad is midfielder Rewaldo Pirates, currently on the books of South African side Marumo Gallants.

Benjamin highlighted the squad’s youthfulness, stating that this selection forms part of a broader strategy to integrate emerging talent into the senior national set-up.

“This is definitely part of our transition phase,” he said. 

“We are bringing in young, hungry players while trying to achieve results. It’s not an easy task, but we give our all for the pride of the nation,” Benjamin noted.

The tournament kicks off with Zimbabwe and Mauritius clashing in Group A at Toyota Stadium. 

Hosts South Africa will then take on Mozambique at the same venue in a repeat of last year’s opener, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

In Group B, Malawi will face Lesotho on 5 June, followed later by Angola’s showdown with Namibia. 

This will be a rematch of last year’s final, where the Palancas Negras cruised to a 5-0 victory.

Group C action begins the following day, with Morocco playing Madagascar. 

Group D opens with record seven-time champions Zambia facing Comoros.

Matches will be held at the Toyota Stadium – a 2010 Fifa World Cup venue known for hosting South Africa’s 2-1 victory over France – as well as the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium, home of Marumo Gallants.

The group stages run until 11 June, with the semi-finals scheduled for 13 June. 

The winner of Group A will face the top team in Group D.

 The Group B winner will clash with the best side from Group C. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na