Brave Warriors’ head coach Collin Benjamin yesterday announced a 52-man preliminary squad for the upcoming Cosafa, and the 2025 World Cup qualifiers.
The players are expected in camp this week, as they gear up for tough assignments that lie ahead of them.
The first are the World Cup
qualifiers against Liberia on 3 June and 10 June against Tunisia, while the Cosafa Cup is set for mid-June as well.
In preparation for those mat-chups, Benjamin said they are working around the clock to ensure the team is ready for their various encounters in the month of June.
Regulars on the team are Chippa United goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua, defenders Ryan Nyambe, Ivan Kamberipa, Riaan Hanamub, winger Deon Hotto, Mamelodi Sundowns’ striker Peter Shalulile, and Bethuel Muzeu.
Meanwhile, some of the notable absentees are Petrus Shitembi, Joslin Kamatuka and Prins Tjiueza, who is out due to injury, while noteworthy returns in the squad are Wangu Gome and Edmar Kamatuka.
Making it into the team for the first time are Zuze Matafela from the Zambezi region, Maurizio January, Punaje Katjimune, Brango Rukoro, Rupara Tjambeni as well as Gerson Paulus.
Speaking at the media conference yesterday, Benjamin expressed confidence in the team, while addressing the issue of providing an opportunity to the youngsters on the team.
“It’s a youthful team, and because we believe in grooming players, we decided to give them a platform. Most of them are players who did extremely well in the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, so we decided to give them a platform,” he said.
Both Debmarine Premier League top goalscorers Willy ‘Awillo’ Stephanus and Rewaldo Prins didn’t make the cut, despite doing well this season.
Speaking on Prins’ omission, Benjamin said he is a wonderful player, who impressed this season with the goals. “But he still needs to work hard and improve in certain areas. Once he has improved, the team will be open to have him,” he added.
Here is the full squad:
Goalkeepers
Lloyd Kazapua, Edward Maova, Jonas Mateus, Ngatangue Ruhaka, Brango Rukoro, Rupura Tjambeni,
Defenders
Ryan Nyambe, Ivan Kamberipa, Josef Bonifatius, Gerson Paulus, Charles Hambira, Tuli Nashixa, Arend Abubakir, Erasmus Iikenge, Ananias Gebhardt, Riaan Hanamub, Tonateni Haindonga, Edmund Kambanda, Rehabeam Mbango, Rouven Tjihumu, Marek Kapuro, Namayabona Matengu.
Midfielders
Aprocius Petrus, Moses Shidolo, Tjipee Karuoombe, Pandeni Kandjabanga, Stanley Ndjavera, Romeo Kansume, Paulus Amutenya, Ndjiraera Maharero, Razikua Mujoro, Lawrence Doeseb, Stanley Scheeper, Simon Elago, Sam Ndahwangapo, Erastus Kulula, Wangu Batista Gomez, Edmar Kamatuka, Ben Richard Narib, Giovane Engelbrecht, Deon Hotto, Tjimbauja Kapuuo, Farres Haidula, Mbamba Magameno, Zuze Mutafela, Maurizio January, Punaje Katjmune.
Forwards
Peter Shalulile, Bethuel Muzeu, George Marcelino, Gonzales Subeb, Kleophas Useb.