Namibia’s senior women’s football team the Brave Gladiators will face neighbours Angola in an international friendly next month, the Namibia Football Association (NFA) announced yesterday.
The international friendly, which is set for either 7 or 10 April, pending final confirmation from the football association, will be used by both countries as preparation for various upcoming continental competitions lined up for later this year.
Gladiators coach Robert Nauseb yesterday announced a 30-member squad for the Angola match, which sees regular campaigners such as Zenatha Coleman, Lovisa Mulunga, Lydiana Nanamus, Annouscka Kordom and Anna-Marie Shikusho all leading the squad, which comprises a mixture of experienced and upcoming players.
Nauseb has also roped in fresh faces in the 30-member squad, with youngsters such as Selma Enkali, Quenith Narises, Lucia Ndilipundje, Soini Sheenya, Ignasia Haoses, Precious Hambira, Ashley Salomon and Viola Vliete all getting their maiden call ups.
After missing out on last year’s Cosafa Women’s Cup due to financial constraints, the Gladiators have not been active on regional nor continental levels. The NFA plans to use the Angola friendly to start groundwork towards Namibia’s participation in this year’s Cosafa Women’s Cup and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers, also slated for later this year.
“The girls have not played any competitive football for a while now, so it will be a great opportunity for them to test themselves ahead of the bigger competitions later such as Cosafa Women’s Cup and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers later in the year. So the Angola friendly is a good platform for the ladies,” said Nauiseb.
The 30-member squad announced yesterday: Goalkeepers: Melissa Mateus, Lydia Eixas, Agnes Kauzuu and Quenith Narises. Defenders: Veronica Van Wyk, Iina Ndapewa Katuta, Lovisa Mulunga, Selma Enkali, Kamunikire Tjituka, Lucia Ndilipundje, Soini Sheenya, Lydiana Nanamus, Magdalena Paulus and Yvonne Kooper. Midfielders: Asteria Angula, Ignasia Haoses, Precious Hambira, Miltret Ujamba, Millicent Hikuam, Eddelsisingh Emma Naris, Ashley Salomon, Juliana Blou, Beverly Uueziua, Thomalina Adams, Magdalena Kaembere and Elmarie Fredericks. Strikers: Faustinus Amutenya, Viola Vliete, Memory Ngonda, Anna-Marie Shikusho, Annouscka Kordom and Zenatha Coleman.
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na