Brave Warriors coach Bobby Samaria is confident the Brave Warriors will emerge victorious when they take on Guinea in tonight’s group D African Nations Championship (CHAN) opener.
The Brave Warriors, who are appearing for the second time at the CHAN competition, will be looking to start their campaign with a win against Guinea at the Limbe stadium tonight.
The match is scheduled for 20h00.
Speaking during a media briefing, Samaria made it clear the team’s objective was to get positive results.
He added despite having dealt a huge blow during the preparations when ten players tested positive for Covid-19, Samaria said there was no excuse not to do well.
“For any team, the first game is of importance. So, whenever we play against aggressive teams, we always rise. The most important thing is we are here to represent our country to the best of our ability. Our objective is to go out there and get positive results,” said Samaria.
“Our players are aware of the technical plans and we have been doing that since we arrived here. So, most of our trainings are on working on those tactical plans.”
Brave Warriors captain Dynamo Fredericks also echoed his coach, saying the players are keen to do well in their opening match.
“We have played with Guinea before. They have got quite a good squad and we respect them as opponents. But for us, we are here to compete with the best on the continent. We are very eager to win the Chan tournament,” said the 28-year-old, who plays locally for Black Africa.
Namibia are drawn in group D alongside regional rivals Zambia, Tanzania and Guinea.
The 2021 CHAN will be the 6th edition of the tournament, which solely features players plying their trade in the respective domestic leagues.
The tournament was originally scheduled for 4-25 April in Cameroon last year and was moved to this month by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
This is also the second time Namibia has qualified for the tournament, having first qualified in 2017 for the competition, which was held in Morocco.
Namibia exited the tournament in the quarterfinal after a 2-0 defeat against host nation Morocco.
The final squad for the CHAN competition:
Edward Maova, Ratanda Mbazuvara, Kamaijanda Ndisiro, Charles Hambira, Jonas Mateus, Emilio Martin, Vitapi Ngaruka, Ivan Kamberipa, Pat-Nevin Uanivi, Aprocious Petrus, Gregory Aukumeb, Johannes Mutanga, Erasmus Ikeinge, Alfeus Handura, Dynamo Fredericks, Absalom Iimbondi, Immanuel Heita, Ambrocius Amseb, Wendell Rudath, Gustav Isaak, Llewelyn Stanley, Wesley Katjiteo, Brandon Neibeb, Marcell Papama, Panduleni Nekundi, Isaskar Gurirab, Deryl Goagoseb and Elmo Kambindu.
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na