Despite the ongoing public clamour around the exclusion of mercurial midfielder Awillo Stephanus from coach Collin Benjamin’s 37-man squad that was announced this week, the national team mentor says his decision is purely informed by long-term strategies and grooming the next generation of stars.
Stephanus, who has been the livewire for newly-crowned Debmarine Namibia Premiership champions African Stars and looks set to clinch the Golden Boot award with his 18 goals, was this week again omitted from Benjamin’s 2023 Cosafa Cup squad and from the team to face Burundi in June for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) remaining qualifier.
At this week’s presser, the coach said he remains a huge fan of Stephanus and recognises his outstanding performance this season for Stars, but he explained that the decision to omit him is based on the number of highly-promising youngsters in the squad and how they need to be given more game time to grow into formidable stars.
He said youngsters such as Prinz Tjiueza, Bethuel Muzeu Muzeu, Edmar Kamatuka and many others have strongly announced their arrival on the scene and continue to demonstrate their willingness to learn more and do more.
Benjamin added that with influential players like Peter Shalulile, Deon Hotto and others in the current setup, those youngsters stand a good chance of learning and improving even further.
Meanwhile, Stephanus also announced his retirement from the national team this week, saying he will dedicate his time and effort to African Stars as they embark on a mission to conquer Africa in the various Caf competitions.
The full squad:
Goalkeepers: Edward Maova (Pretoria Callies, RSA), Ndisiro Kamaijanda (African Stars), Jonas Mateus (Orlando Pirates) and Nelly Rooi (Tigers).
Defenders: Ryan Nyambe (Wigan Athletic, ENG), Ivan Kamberipa (Masitaoka, BOT), Arend Aboubakir and Steven Damaseb (both Blue Waters), Kennedy Amutenya (Gaborone United, BOT), Given Mutuezu (Mighty Gunners), Denzel Haoseb (Black Africa), Gianluca Kahingunga (Okahandja United), Ananias Gebhardt (Baroka, RSA), Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu, RSA), Nalikewe Nalweendo (Citizens) and Aprocious Petrus (Liria Prizren, KOV).
Midfielders: Reverend Matroos (Young Brazilians), Devin Somseb and Lawrence Doeseb (both Life Fighters), Ngero Katua (Unam), Dynamo Fredericks (African Stars), Prinz Tjiueza (Liria Prizren, KOV), Nicodemus Haikali (Tura Magic), Paulus Amutenya (Unam), Marcel Papama (Jwaneng, BOT) and Uetuuro Kambato (African Stars).
Forwards: Absalom Iimbondi (Tigers), Joslyn Kamatuka (African Stars), Peter Shalulile (Sundowns, SA), Bethuel Muzeu Muzeu (Black Leopards, RSA), Elmo Kambndi (Chippa United, SA), Junior Petrus (Blue Waters), Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates, SA), Wendell Rudath (Jwaneng, BOT), Edmar Kamatuka (African Stars), Erwin Tjiuja and Eliakim Jadsson (Life Fighters).
- ohembapu@nepc.com.na