…meet champion Tuskers tomorrow
WINDHOEK – Former Welwitschias versatile lock and incumbent board member of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) Wacca Kazombiaze has called on the team to remain fully focused when they confront Kenya in the second match of the annual Windhoek Draught Tri-Nations Tournament at the Hage Geingob Stadium tomorrow.
Following Namibia’s hard fought 35-26 victory over an in-form Zimbabwe side in the opening match of the rugby series, Kazombiaze was yesterday still a dissatisfied man and insisted that
Namibia still has a lot to do in the match against African champions Kenya, saying the Welwitschias must remain focused and strive aggressively for a win. The hard-tackling former English rugby giants Birmingham and Solihull stalwart said the Welwitschias should play an attacking game right from the outset and make sure they keep the Kenyans at bay for the better part of the match, cautioning that if Kenya is left unchecked from the first whistle, they might cause problems with their unpredictable, but regular comebacks. “We must remember that Kenya is coached by a South African mentor and obviously, he knows a lot about Namibian rugby and our style of play, that’s why I insist we have to hummer the Kenyans as early as possible and make sure we don’t give them a chance to come back into the game.
The last time we played Kenya was in 2006, but since then they have improved tremendously and that’s why they are the African champions. And on that note, we have to exercise caution as we approach them,” said Kazombiaze. “Kenya is on of those kinds of teams that will bother with consistent attacks until the last minute, so I would also advise my boys to stick fully to their game plan and to be more aggressive at the front. Our forwards were not aggressive enough in the first match against Zimbabwe, that why I’m urging our forwards to be very aggressive in their attacks.”
“But luckily we have a few experienced guys, who have already played at that stage and know what is at stake here. So, the young players must just come to the party and do our country proud and I know they will. We have a well-balanced team and good strong young players, and I strongly believe we will emerge the victors,” added a confident Kazombiaze.
By Otniel Hembapu