Namibia has announced a 32-man preliminary squad to face the Comoros Islands in two international friendly matches scheduled for 14 and 17 November.
The Brave Warriors, currently ranked 109th in the world, will face a Comoros side positioned 112th on the Fifa rankings. The team will be led by John Sirekete, with Marley Ngarizemo serving as assistant coach.
Explaining the purpose of the upcoming fixtures, Namibia Football Association (NFA) spokesperson Isack Hamata said the friendlies are crucial for both maintaining the country’s Fifa ranking and initiating a generational transition within the squad.
“The purpose of friendlies is not only preparation, but they also help protect your rankings. We are coming out of a FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, during which our ranking dropped considerably,” Hamata said.He added that the matches offer an opportunity to introduce new players who could form the core of the future Brave Warriors squad.
“This friendly is part of a transition phase. It gives new players a chance to show their potential. When qualifiers resume next year, we want to have a broader pool of players who are ready. Friendlies, regardless of the time of year, serve the same purpose, they prepare you for what’s coming next. Our focus is already on preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and African Nations Championship.”
Hamata further highlighted the financial challenges facing the NFA, acknowledging that organising such matches requires careful budgeting.
“This friendly against Comoros is fully paid for, which is important given the NFA’s financial situation. There’s very little money available, we often have to pay for our own travel, accommodation and opponents’ logistics,” said Hamata.
He noted that the upcoming fixture also holds symbolic significance, marking Comoros’ return to hosting international matches on home soil.
“This match is also a celebration for Comoros, as they return to playing in their own country. They invited Namibia to be their first opponent, and we were happy to accept,” concluded Hamata.