Maqonda Ndlovu

Brave Gladiators assistant coach Mervin Mbakera says they have worked on defending and attacking as a unit in preparation for their Council of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa) match against Botswana today.

Speaking to NFA Media in South Africa on Wednesday, Mbakera said the emphasis will be on defensive and attacking principles, which are done with near perfection, especially on transitions.

“The players have really given their all, they have worked really hard. We are pushing. Botswana has a very good squad.
I saw a player from them who I have faced as a coach since she was 12 years old; now she is playing for the national team. 

“It is a good feeling for me to see that development has been ongoing and that talent is not being lost. We are also in a similar situation, as almost 90% of the players we have here today have played under me at the junior level,” Mbakera said.

He added that the NFA and BFA should be applauded for investing in development. Botswana has invested more in terms of giving their girls experience.

Mbakera said while Botswana is a different beast this time around compared to when he faced them as a coach for a junior team in 2017, the team has a plan, as the Gladiators are focusing on their potential and talent.

“We are pushing with a certain plan that we have in mind to execute during game time.

Mbakera said Namibia should invest
in what he termed ‘muscle memory’.

“When something is done regularly, the mind tends to store that information in the mind. We must ensure that we have a lot of repetitions, whether it is games at a high international level or competition in the country. 

“It must be done repetitively basis. We were fortunate enough to have played two games of international standard for the Wafcon qualifiers against the Gambia;
that helped us a lot,” Mbakera said.

He added that going forward, the NFA must make sure the girls play as much football as possible, be it international matches or regional competitions; there must be enough playing time.”

Earlier this week, head coach Paulus Shipanga said: “Our aim is to win; we want to do well in the tournament. We have to beat Botswana in the first match, which is why we are working so hard preparing for this tournament.”

The Gladiators play Botswana today before taking on Zimbabwe on Monday and close off the group stage matches against Lesotho on Wednesday.

The tournament kicked off yesterday with Eswatini beating Madagascar 2-1 before hosts South Africa lost 3-4 to Malawi. – jrnmarko@gmail.com