Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Senior national football head coach Collin Benjamin has announced the final Brave Warriors squad for the upcoming Council of Southern African Football Association (COSAFA) tournament in South Africa.
The tournament will run from 4 to 15 June.
Namibia is in Group B with Angola, Malawi, and Lesotho.
Namibia’s first match is on Thursday against Angola, followed by a game against Malawi on Sunday and the final group match against Lesotho next Tuesday.
Benjamin said the team aims to win the tournament and bring home a second trophy for the country.
He acknowledged the challenge, noting that other teams share the same goal, especially with African giant Morocco joining as a guest nation this year.
“There is always pressure to win; we want to go all the way, but that is not going to be easy, and we all know that. But the positivity about our group is that we have four teams, and that is good, as it guarantees us three games, but our opponents also want to win,” he said.
Benjamin praised the organisers for developing the tournament over the years into a competitive event in southern Africa. He said most countries now take it seriously.
“In the past, some countries used to select their B teams to compete at the tournament. That has changed now, as most countries are looking at winning the tournament, while the tournament also provides a platform for teams to prepare for World Cup qualifying games later this year,” he added.
The Brave Warriors squad travelling to South Africa are: Edward Maova, Jonas Matheus, Kamaijanda Ndjisiro, Charles Hambira, Josilin Kamatuka, Will Stephanus, Ivan Kamberipa, Moses Shidolo, Sisqo Haraseb, Ngero Katua, Vevangapi Mbuende, David Haingwafa, Tyrese Hikupembe, Kennedy Eib, Mbakondja Tjahikika, Paulus Amutenya, Leevi Alfeus, Penda Mongudhi, Bio Gurirrab, Wiseman Liswaniso Lifasi, Riwaldo Prins, and Bethuel Muzeu.
