The national football side will leave for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cameroon this afternoon as the tournament gets underway on Saturday.
The football tournament, only participated by players plying their trade in their respective domestic leagues, will run until 7 February.
The tournament was initially scheduled for April last year, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was forced to shelve it due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Brave Warriors, who had their preparations disrupted due to the pandemic after ten players and one technical staff member tested positive for Covid-19, will be hoping to punch above their weight in West Africa.
The squad was tested for coronavirus earlier this week and results were scheduled to come out late in the day.
Speaking after the squad concluded their last training session yesterday morning at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura, head coach Bobby Samaria confirmed the team will leave for Cameroon this afternoon via Ethiopia and Johannesburg.
Samaria added the team is well prepared and ready to produce good results.
He further said despite their preparation being disrupted in the early stages by the virulent pandemic, he believes the team is capable of doing well in Cameroon.
“Yes, this is our last training session before we leave for Cameroon.
The team will be travelling in two groups, the other group will go via Addis Ababa, while the other group will go through Johannesburg then straight to Cameroon,” he said.
“Overall readiness, I will say that the spirit in the camp is very high, everyone is ready to go out there and fight.
Despite Covid-19 disturbing our preparations, I believe every single team that’s taking part in the competition have been facing the same difficulties.”
He also noted there are no injury threats as all players are medically fit.
“We are waiting for the Covid-19 results that are due to come out, but all the players who were in isolation have been discharged.
In terms of injuries, there are no injury threats at the moment as every player in the camp is fit and ready,” said the coach.
Namibia are in Group D, alongside Guinea, Zambia and Tanzania. Their first group match will be played on Tuesday 19 January when they take on Guinea.
- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na