Windhoek
Come hell or high water, an under strength Brave Warriors outfit will have no intention to relinquish the one goal cushion going into the decisive second leg of the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) clash against hosts Zambia at Nkloama stadium in Lusaka, tomorrow.
The Namibians go into the match with their tails held high after dispatching the formidable Chipopolo’s 2-1 at home in the first leg a fortnight ago but will be well advised to underestimate the dangerous Zambians at their own peril.
Warriors stalwart overlapping left back Junior Gebhardt, has been around for quite a while and knows the danger the wounded Zambians can pose on home soil. Its going to be a tough match and we expect Zambia to come all out with guns blazing as they will look for an early goal to calm down the nerves. “We have a fairly young squad that’s learning and improving with each match but we have to be well organised and exercise good discipline at the back and make sure we don’t give the ball away in crucial areas.
Victory or a draw in Lusaka will propel the fired up Warriors to the final qualifying round as they take a 2-1 advantage going into penultimate tie.
“Overall, defense will be very crucial for us because we must exercise calmness, patience and concentration during the entire 90 minutes of the game. Our primary strategy is get an early goal to unsettle our opponents as it would leave them with an insurmountable task to catch us, stressed Gebhardt. The left footed attacking fullback played an important part in Namibia’s winning goal in the first leg after he skinned his marker before delivering a teasing diagonal cross that was intercepted by the wide awake rookie striker Ita Keimuine. The Tura Magic lethal goal-poacher unselfishly laid the ball on the path of Tigers free scoring midfielder Benyamin Nenkavu to score his debut goal for the Warriors.
Tura Magic are the bulk supplier of playing personnel in the current Warriors squad with livewire striker Pikes Shalulile and towering defender Tebs Lombard also in the thick of things.
Shalulile is maturing like old wine with every game with matches coming in thick and fast. He also opened that an early goal could do the trick when the Warriors enter uncharted territory as the Warriors seek their win on Zambian soil.
“Its no secret that we are expecting a tough game and we fully realise that it won’t just be another walk in the park for us, but we are well prepared mentally and psychically. Its obvious the Zambians will come at us for an early goal. It will be an interesting game but we are hopeful and determined to progress to the next round”, said Shalulile.
Warriors probable starting line up for tomorrow’s clash of the titans against Zambia reads as follows: Charles Uirab, Tebs Lombaard, Dennis “Law” Tjetjinda, Denzil Haoseb, Ananias Gebhardt, Dynamo Fredericks, Peter Shalulile, Benyamin Nenkavu, Wangu-Batista Gome, Heini Isaacks and Ita Keimuine.