The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has announced the final squad for the Brave Warriors’ back-to-back encounters against Zimbabwe in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.
Among the selected players is former Khomas Nampol star and now Marumo Gallant’s striker, Rewaldo Prins, who has made the cut for the national team.
Namibia’s Brave Warriors, the men’s senior football team, are set to take on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.
Both nations lack approved grounds to host international matches, which is why both legs of the Group J encounters will take place at the same venue.
The first match will be held on Wednesday, with the second leg scheduled for 14 October.
This will be Namibia’s third group match in the qualifiers after suffering two defeats in their opening fixtures – a 1-0 loss to Cameroon and a 2-1 defeat at home against Kenya. These back-to-back losses leave the Warriors at the bottom of Group J with no points.
The team is now desperate to secure a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The squad for these crucial matches consists of 24 players, including seasoned names like Orlando Pirates midfielder Deon Hotto, Sekhukhune United goalkeeper Lloydt Kazapua, Amazulu defender Riaan Hanamub and Botswana-based Ivan Kamberipa.
Also making a return to the team is Erastus Kulula, who plays for Liria Prizren.
New additions to the squad include Petrus Kamati and Tjahikika Mbakondja, both set to make their debut appearances.
Meanwhile, the most surprising inclusion in the squad is Gallants striker Prins, who had previously been overlooked by the coach due to concerns over his fitness.
With his selection this time around, the Brave Warriors are hopeful that his presence will bring much-needed firepower in front of goal.
Reacting to Prins’ call-up, former Khomas Nampol coach Fortune Gareth Eichab expressed his delight at seeing the striker’s hard work finally recognised.
“I am happy with his inclusion in the team. Coach Collin [Benjamin] always said the door would always be open for anyone who works hard on specific aspects, and Prins has certainly been doing that,” Eichab
stated.
“He is a talented boy, and I believe he will make an impact if given the opportunity. For now, he must stay focused, and continue working hard.
Wearing the Brave Warriors jersey comes with a lot of responsibility. He needs to listen to the coaches’ instructions, stay humble and not let the call-up go to his head. It won’t be a walk in the park – he must fight for his place and his country,” he added.