Namibia’s senior women’s team poster-girl Zenatha Coleman will today lead the Brave Gladiators in their international friendly match against Angola at Sam Nujoma Stadium, with the match starting at 15h30.
Today’s friendly is one of two international matches scheduled between the two nations, with the second friendly match penciled for this coming Saturday, 10 April at the same venue. The matches will be played under strict Covid-19 regulations and no fans will be allowed into the stadium for both encounters.
Coleman, who plies her trade for Spanish side Sevilla in that country’s premier division, is one of the key players called up by coach Robert Nauseb for the two clashes and she will be expected to guide the team with her experience and lethal ability in front of the goal. Coleman is expected to arrive in the country this morning ahead of the first match in the afternoon.
Nauseb has also bolstered the squad with the reliable services of Annouschka Kordom, who plays for Israeli club Hapoel Beér Sheva, and Tura Magic FC’s veteran Thomalina Adams is also in the mix and will equally be expected to provide her usual leadership skills in the middle of the park.
Other stars featuring prominently in the squad are Emma Naris, Lovisa Mulunga and Millicent Hikuam; to mention but a few. The two friendlies will serve as preparation for upcoming major competitions such as the Cosafa Women’s Cup and the World Cup qualifiers, which are all slated for later this year.
Speaking to New Era Sport yesterday, Nauseb expressed satisfaction with the players’ fitness levels and how they have been responding to training, saying facing an opposition of Angola’s caliber will provide the ladies with a much-needed competitive platform to strut their stuff.
“We are satisfied with the fitness level of the girls, we have been working tirelessly since they joined camp last month. In terms of the physical fitness, I can say that they look good but I am not sure about game fitness, that we will have to find out in tomorrow’s (today) match,” said the Brave Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs legend.
Nauseb confirmed that the team will have to do duty without the services of budding goalkeeper Melissa Matheus, who is nursing a minor injury, but was hopeful she will recover in time for Saturday’s match.
The squad: Goalkeepers: Melissa Matheus, Agnes Kauzuu and Lydia Eixas. Defenders: Eddelsisingh Emma Naris, Veronika Van Wyk, Selma Enkali, Lovisa Mulunga, Kamunikire Tjituka, Lydiana Nanamus and Iina Katuta. Midfielders: Millicent Hikuam, Thomalina Adams, Asteria Angula, Meltret Ujamba, Ivone Irene Kooper and Annouschka Kordom. Strikers: Beverly Ueziua, Fiola Vliete, Memory Ngonda, Anna-Marie Shikusho, Precious Hambira, Zenatha Coleman and Juliana Blou.
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na