The chief human capital, marketing and corporate affairs officer of Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), Tim Ekandjo, is urging the recently-elected Namibia Football Association leadership to support the senior national football team and avoid dampening their achievement of qualification.
He said this on Friday while announcing the N$2.4 million injection towards the Brave Warriors’ preparation for the upcoming 2023 African Cup of Nations (Afcon), slated for Ivory Coast from 13 January to 11 February 2024.
Ekandjo’s comments come after a Scottish coach, Simon McMenemy, and his technical team were rumoured to replace the incumbent Collin Benjamin and his team by 1 January 2024.
Ekandjo said, for now, the nation should all dedicate their efforts to ensure the team is in the right frame of mind, with no negativity around its set-up.
“We owe it to the entire team to go and finish what they have achieved thus far. The qualification period was an extremely difficult and challenging one for the Brave Warriors, considering that they had to endure playing away from home,” said Ekandjo.
He added that MTC is proud to see the Brave Warriors grow from strength to strength.
“We recognise the triumphant display of perseverance from our national team. Despite various challenges faced, the boys, coach and entire management bravely forged forward and, like true warriors, qualified for the upcoming 2023 African top-tier football tournament, Afcon,” said Ekandjo.
Meanwhile, director of sport Jo-Ann Manuel said, for the first time in 25 years, the Brave Warriors stand a chance of progressing beyond the group stages, taking into account the team’s performance of late.
In early November, MTC announced its intention to raise funds among corporate Namibia and boost the Brave Warriors campaign towards the continental tournament to be held in Ivory Coast through its annual innovative initiative, the MTC Knockout Project.
The project aimed to collect N$5 million – but unfortunately, it could only raise N$2.4 million. The Road Fund Administration and the National Housing Enterprise showed their support by contributing N$100 000 each.
Another N$150 000 was added to the project funds from the gate-takings of the Dr Hage Geingob Cup, and the Namibia Special Risk Insurance Association gave N$50 000.
MTC provided N$2 million to the project.
In Group E, the Brave Warriors will face South Africa, Tunisia and Mali.
Their opening match of the championship is scheduled for 16 January 2024 against Tunisia in Korhogo. - Nampa