Namibia’s national women’s football team, the Brave Gladiators, will play against Tanzania in the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a draw was conducted yesterday.

The competition will be the first edition organised under the format of 12 teams. The draw took place in Cairo, Egypt, which saw 45 member associations taking part in the qualifiers’ series. Morocco will host the tournament which has seen them automatic qualify for the maiden tournament.    

The first and second leg will be played between the 6th to 15 of June 2021. The winner of the two-legged tie between Namibia and Tanzania will take on the winner of the Malawi and Zambia tie.

CAF Senior Manager of Women Football & Futsal Heba Sarwat conducted the draw, assisted by Egyptian footballer Nadine Ghazy.

Reacting to the draw, Namibia Football Association (NFA) Secretary-General Franco Cosmos welcomed the draw saying it will be a tough ride but maintained it will equally be a good opportunity for the Gladiators to test themselves.

“It’s a good draw for us, we are happy we are drawn against Tanzania. It will be tough but we will make sure we also come to the party. What is unique about this draw is the fact that we are not pitted against the usual teams such as Botswana, South Africa or Angola. We were under the impression that we are going to be drawn against Botswana.

“Tanzania is not the strongest nation when it comes to women football. By looking at their ranking you will tell how much of a strong team they are,” he said. In terms of readiness, the secretary general added that the team have been hard at work preparing for the anticipated encounter.

 “We are ready, the girls are busy training even as I speak now, so I believe when it comes to these preparations they will be ready when the day comes,” he said. – Additional reporting from caf.online.com

– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na