Tura Magic versatile defender Emma Naris will today lead a 25-member Brave Gladiators squad to Lusaka, Zambia, where they will face the Shepolopolo on Wednesday in the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers.

The Gladiators will face the Shepolopolo of Zambia for the first leg of qualifiers at the Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka, before hosting them for the return leg in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Namibia Football Association yesterday announced the final squad of 25 players who will do national duty in the final qualification round of the 12th edition of the women’s tournament.

The Gladiators squad, which is under the mentorship of coach Woody Jacobs, will be captained by the evergreen Naris, and also sees top regular campaigners such as striker Zenatha Coleman, Annouschka Kordom, Veueziua Kotjipati, Thomaliana Adams, Anna-Marie Shikusho and Juliana Skrywer all making the cut. 

Speaking to New Era Sport ahead of the team’s departure, Jacobs expressed satisfaction with the quality of the final squad. “I am confident in the team and I’m sure we will prevail come Wednesday. I believe the team is well balanced, and you can see that it is a combination of experienced and new players. We are heading to Zambia for one reason only, and that is to get a win,” said a confident Jacobs.

The winner over two legs will qualify for the AWCON tournament that will run from 2-23 July. It also doubles as the African qualifiers to the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

The final squad: 

Goalkeepers: Mellissa Matheus, Agnes Kauzuu and Narises Gweneth. 

Defenders: Emma Naris (c), Iina Katuta, Lydiana Nanamus, Selma Enkali, Veronika van Vyk, Nicole Philander, Veweziua Kotjipati and Ivonne Kooper. 

Midfielders:Thomalina Adams, Asteria Angula, Memory Ngonda, Shanice Daries, Annouscka Kordom, Twilikondjela Amukoto, Millicent Hikuam and Fiola Vliete. 

Strikers:Kylie van Wyk, Juliana Blou, Anna-Marie Shikusho and Zenatha Coleman.

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na