WINDHOEK – Hard work, luck and individual brilliance will be crucial for Namibia’s national U-15 girls team as they prepare to take on China and Mexico at the 2014 Youth Summer Olympic Games in China starting August 14.
Reacting to the final competition draw, which took place yesterday at the Hilton Hotel in Nanjing, China, Namibia Football Association (NFA) President John Muinjo said Namibia is in a tough group and need to be fully prepared to overcome formidable opposition like Mexico and hosts China in their Group-B fixtures of the Youth Games. “It is a tough draw for us. China has been preparing for a long time, they spent about eight months in the US and they are a very strong nation when it comes to women’s football. Mexico on the other hand, has speed and great mobility and their game is very technical. So it is not an easy draw, but we are going there to compete and fight for our right to be among the world’s elite,” said Muinjo, who added that despite the tough draw Namibia is ready to claim their stake. “They are young girls, most of them will be going out of Namibia for the first time and playing at those large stadiums in China will be intimidating for them as well. But in football, luck, individual brilliance, skill and hard work can take you far and our girls possess those qualities. I’m confident they can built on that and the coaches will prepare them mentally for the challenge ahead. It is about competing, but overall it is about the experience and participation and ultimate development of the women players,” Muinjo explained.
Groups Overview:
Girls Youth Olympic Football Tournament
Group A: Papua New Guinea, Venezuela, Slovakia
Group B: China, Namibia, Mexico
Boys Youth Olympic Football Tournament
Group A: Honduras, Iceland, Peru
Group B: Cape Verde Islands, Korea Republic, Vanuatu
By Staff Reporter