THE Namibia senior women’s national team, the Brave Gladiators will play an international friendly match against the Mares of Botswana tomorrow at the Royal Aria Stadium in Tlokweng.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 16h00. The team is led by coach Woody Jacobs, with Mervin Mbakera and former Gladiators’ captain Uerikondjera Kasaona as his assistants.
Mbakera said they had retained most of the senior players because they haven’t played many matches this year and the friendly will help give them international exposure.
“There is an addition of Mbakondja Kahiriri, Anna Somses and Leena Alweendo from the Under-20 national team; this will give them the necessary confidence boost. These players were also selected based on their performances in the FNB Women Super League,” said Mbakera.
Ahead of the match, interim goalkeeper coach, Dankie Hepundjua said he is optimistic the Gladiators will keep a clean sheet against the host. “We have experienced goalkeepers. They look excited and positive, so I expect a good result,” he said. One of the senior players, Ongos Ladies Lovisa Mulunga said they are grateful that the Namibia Football Association had accepted the invitation.
“We are looking forward to playing. Preparations have gone well, and it will be a boost for the national team to defeat the Mares and return home with a win. There are new recruits in the team, I urge them and the senior players to give it their all and to play to their best abilities,” she said.
Another senior player, German-based Veweziwa Kotjipati said the training grounds impressed her. “The field is perfect. I am happy to be with the team. The players are working hard. Everyone has improved so much.
“The coach wants us to work as a unit and to use our strengths. I will do my best to help the team in the position I will be playing,” added the left back.
Kotjipati was the first of three foreign based players to join the Brave Gladiators at their training base at Royal Aria in Tlokweng yesterday. US-based Millicent Hikuam joined them soon after.
Team doctor Hilma Uugwanga yesterday gave the squad a clean bill of health ahead of the friendly match against Botswana. The two teams drew 1-1 in their last encounter in October 2023 in their Group C match at the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
The players are:
Goalkeepers: Melissa Mateus, Agnes Kauzuu
Defenders: Lovisa Tuyakula Mulunga, Eddelsisingh Emma Naris, Mbakondja Kahiriri, Lydiana Ottonika, Nanamus, Iina Ndapewa Katuta, Vijakura Tjingaete, Veweziwa Kotjipati
Midfielders: Memory Ngonda, Juliana Blou, Millicent Felicity Natalie Hikuam, Anna-Ida Heidi Somses, Julia Usuta Rutjindo, Twelikondjele Evilyakondjelua Amukoto, Elmarie Fredericks
Forwards: Anna-Marie Shikusho, Zenatha Goeieman Coleman, Ivone Irene Kooper, Leena Alweendo.
- lmupetami@nepc.com.na