Experienced striker Sadney Urikhob is set to make a return to the Brave Warriors cavern after interim head coach Bobby Samaria yesterday named him as part of his 35-man provisional squad for Namibia’s participation at next month’s Cosafa Cup.
In the absence of talismanic striker Peter Shalulile, who is nursing an injury, Samaria turned to the experienced Urikhob for some firepower and experience as they head into the regional tournament, which will see Namibia facing Zimbabwe, Mozambique and competition guest participants Senegal in Group C.
The 29-year-old industrious Urikhob, who currently plies his trade with Thailand’s second-tier league outfit Chiangmai FC, has for the past two years not enjoyed much game time with the national team – only making cameo roles here and there – but his return for the Cosafa Cup could be a great boost for Samaria up front, as his experience and speed will come in handy.
Other experienced players named in the 35-man squad are goalkeeper Virgil Vries, winger Deon Hotto, midfielders Dynamo Fredericks and Absalom Iimbondi as well as Willy Stephanus, while youngsters such as Kamaijanda Ndisiro, Amazing Kandjii, Marcel Papama, Prins Tjiueza and Elmo Kambindu also form part of the provisional squad.
“This squad sends a message strong of no complacency to all players. It is a squad with depth – and that is key. This coming weekend or so, depending on the availability of flights, we should leave for South Africa to go start with training. We will be facing great competition at Cosafa Cup and we have to prepare thoroughly,” said Samaria.
Since contact sport is banned in Namibia until the end of June as part of government’s Covid-19 restrictions, the Warriors will be setting up camp in South Africa ahead of their participation in the 20th edition of the Cosafa Cup, which starts on 7 July and runs until 18 July.
“The association confirmed our participation for us to go and compete and Senegal expressed interest because we will be facing them in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers later this year, so we need to be prepared. Zimbabwe is always strong and Mozambique have become our arch-rivals, so it will be good competition for us.”
The Brave Warriors 35-man squad for Cosafa is as follows: Loydt Kazapua, Virgil Vries, Edward Maova, Kamaijanda Ndisiro, Tiberius Lombardt, Kennedy Amutenya, Larry Haraeb, Ananias Gebhardt, Immanuel Heita, Riaan Hanamub, Ivan Kamberipa, Emilio Martin, Amazing Kandjii, Aprocius Petrus, Charles Hambira, Deon Hotto, Dynamo Fredericks, Ambrosius Amseb, Wendel Rudath, Quinton van Staden, Gustav Isaak, Lewellyn Stanley, Absalom Iimbondi, Marcel Papama, Prins Tjiueza, Willy Stephanus, Alfeus Handura, Wesley Katjiteo, McCartney Naweseb, Sadney Urikhob, Elmo Kambindu, Isaskar Gurirab, Joslin Kamatuka, Junior Theophilus and Salomon Omseb.