Brave Gladiators’ head coach, Paulus Shipanga called 43 players to report for camp earlier this week.
They are expected at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Girls’ Centre for the preparations of the 2024 African Women’s Olympics Qualifying Football Tournament.
Training commenced on Sunday at the Unam field with morning and afternoon training sessions scheduled to take place until the team departs for Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Brave Gladiators will compete in their first-round qualifiers at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg for their home leg against Equatorial Guinea on 13 July 2023.
The away match will be played on 18 July 2023 at the Malabo Stadium in Equatorial Guinea.
Two African countries will qualify for Paris 2024 following the completion of the tournament.
Speaking to this publication this week, the Gladiators gaffer said despite the little time they have to prepare, he is pleased with the crop of players that he has in camp.
“The time is limited but we have to start preparing and it is difficult looking at the time frame. It’s tough to involve everyone on the team and I have brought players on board who I am positive that they can get the job done for us,” he said.
On reservations from some section of the football family who questioned his team selection based on not having been attending the Women’s Super League matches during the season, Shipanga denied the accusations saying he had watched enough games.
“I have been at games, I have been to Gobabis, Windhoek and at the coast for those who are questioning if I have attended any matches so far. But it’s football, there will always be politics,” he said.
Goalkeepers: Lydia Eixas (Girls & Goals), Agnes Kauzuu Tura Magic, Marinskey Vries (Eleven Arrows), Melisa Matheus (Beauties), Queindra Batista (Unam) and Sarafina Khuruses (Namib Daughters), Lilie Nelago Kasheeta (Nampol).
Defenders: Lovisa Mulunga, Emma Eddelsisingh Naris, Lydiana Nanamus, Irene Ivone Kooper (all Tura Magic) Julia Usuta Rutjindo, Vijakura Tjengaete (both Girls & Goals), Kamunikire Tjituka, Mbakondja Kahiriri, Evita Nicole Philander (all Beauties), Veweziwa Kotjipati Borussia Monchengladbach, Mercia Skrywer (Namib Daughters), Tangi Mulundi (Unam) and Ndapewa Katuta (both Nampol),
Midfielders: Memory Ngonda, Juliana Blou (both Tura Magic), Shamilla Elvida Damases (Beauties), Kylie van Wyk, Shanice Blanche Dairies Shanda Cloete, Tjamunene Ndjavera, (all Girls & Goals), Anoushka Kordom, Millicent Hikuam (both Capital Atletica FC USA), Ignacia Hoases (Namib Daughters), Lorraine Jassop (Eleven Arrows), Miltret Ujamba Unam, Anna-Ida Somses (V-Power Angels), Evalito Ulumbu, Twelikondja Amukoto, Helena Shuumbwa, (all Nampol),
Forward: Fiola Vliete (Beauties), Anna Marie Shikusho, (Tura Magic), Beverly Uueziua (Girls & Goals), Gontes Hilary, Kamutuua Muhinatjo Hanavi (both Unam), Zenatha Coleman Fernebache and Kamatjipose Jekohasana, (Arrows and Unam respectively).
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na