The Brave Warriors of Namibia will depart today for South Africa, where they will play an international friendly match against Lesotho at Orlando Stadium in Soweto tomorrow.
This is a preparatory match for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Liberia on 5 June and Tunisia on 9 June.
After these crucial qualifiers, the Namibian men’s national team will shift its focus to the Cosafa Cup tournament, scheduled to run from 12 to 25 June in South Africa.
Head coach Collin Benjamin said the morale is high, and expressed confidence in the team’s preparations as he trimmed the squad to 30 players yesterday. “We are in good spirits. We’ve had two productive weeks with the squad. The game against Lesotho is a reward for their hard work, and an opportunity to test a few tactics. We aim to evaluate the young players, as we have an almost entirely new squad,” Benjamin explained.
He plans to field mainly local-based players and those plying their trade in the Botswana league during the friendly. “We are not focused on the result, but on testing tactics and assessing our players as we gear up for the qualifiers.
“This friendly against Lesotho is more than just a match; it’s a strategic opportunity for us to fine-tune gameplay, and build cohesion within the squad. The selection of local and regional players is our commitment to develop home-grown talent, and to provide them with international exposure.
“For the players, especially the younger and less-experienced ones, this match is a chance to showcase their skills on a bigger stage, and solidify their positions in the national team set-up,” added Benjamin.
Due to the friendly match, the PST Bet Namibia Football Association Cup semi-final, initially scheduled to take place in Mariental this weekend, has been postponed until the Warriors complete their qualification and Cosafa Cup commitments.
The travelling players are:
Goalkeepers
1. Loydt Kazapua (Chippa)
2. Kamaijanda Ndisiro (African Stars)
3. Jonas Mateus (Ongos)
Defenders
4. Ivan Kamberipa (Orapa United)
5. Charles Hambira (African Stars)
6. Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu)
7. Tuli Nashixwa (Tigers)
8. Tjipee Karuoombe (Unam)
9. Arend Abubakir (Blue Waters)
10. Erasmus Ikeinge (Khomas Nampol)
11. Paulus Amutenya (Unam)
12. Edmund Kambanda (African Stars)
Midfielders
13. Edmar Kamatuka (Sekhukhune)
14. Romeo Kasume (Matebele)
15. Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates)
16. Aprocius petrus (Cape Town City)
17. Moses Shidolo (Chula Chula)
18. Erastus Kalula (Blue Waters)
19. Ndjiraera Maharero (African Stars)
20. Lawrence Doeseb (Chula Chula)
21. Fares Haidula (Chula Chula)
22. Ben Namib (Khomas Nampol)
23. Punaije Katjimune (Unam)
24. David Ndeunyema (Blue Waters)
25. Rikambura Muundjua (Young African)
Forwards
26. Gonzales Tsubeb (Police Xi)
27. Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)
28. Betheul Muzeu (Black Leopards)
29. Kleophas uiseb (Orapa)
30. McCartney Nawaseb (Matebele)