Benjamin focused on better showing at Cosafa
Team ready to rectify mistakes • Benjamin focused on better showing at Cosafa
Coach Collin Benjamin said the Brave Warriors are working towards a better performance in the upcoming Cosafa Cup in Durban.
The Brave Warriors of Namibia are adding the final touches to their training ahead of their participation in the 2023 Cosafa Cup, which will be held in Durban, South Africa, for the sixth consecutive year from 5 to 16 July.
Head coach Collin Benjamin said they have been working a lot on intensity, not losing the ball, circulating and getting the free man open.
This involves a lot of movement and responsibility.
"We looked at our set pieces and responsibility from the whole defence in trying to contain those moments. We need to win as a team and lose as a team, and we have been working on those carry-overs."
Building on lessons
He added that there are aspirations after winning the tournament in 2015 and getting to the final last year.
"I think it’s an aspiration for everyone to win, but to win we have to minimise the mistakes and to capitalise on the weakness of the opponents, and we need to do our homework. The guys created expectations by being in the final next year."
The coach also spoke about their poor performance in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier match against Burundi, where they lost 3-2. He said the game taught them a lot of lessons.
"We lost the match in the first 20 minutes. I think the mindset was not the way we wanted it to be. We had to come to the party mentally, but that did not happen, but that is behind us. We have Cosafa; we analysed our mistakes, and we are looking forward to that," said Benjamin.
Chance to show off
In addition, players like Peter Shalulile and Riaan Hanamub will not be available for the tournament as it not on the Fifa calendar, and thus clubs are not obligated to release players.
However, young players have a chance to step up, according to Benjamin.
"Aprocius Petrus did a great job as a left back in Tanzania in the Afcon qualifier match. Junior Petrus is burning and waiting for his chance, and Elmo Kambindu hasn’t played in a long time and has a chance to show why he is also the best," Benjamin added.
Namibia are drawn in group A alongside hosts South Africa, Botswana and Eswatini and are set to have their opening match against South Africa on Wednesday at the King Zwelithini Stadium at 18:00.
Head coach Collin Benjamin said they have been working a lot on intensity, not losing the ball, circulating and getting the free man open.
This involves a lot of movement and responsibility.
"We looked at our set pieces and responsibility from the whole defence in trying to contain those moments. We need to win as a team and lose as a team, and we have been working on those carry-overs."
Building on lessons
He added that there are aspirations after winning the tournament in 2015 and getting to the final last year.
"I think it’s an aspiration for everyone to win, but to win we have to minimise the mistakes and to capitalise on the weakness of the opponents, and we need to do our homework. The guys created expectations by being in the final next year."
The coach also spoke about their poor performance in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier match against Burundi, where they lost 3-2. He said the game taught them a lot of lessons.
"We lost the match in the first 20 minutes. I think the mindset was not the way we wanted it to be. We had to come to the party mentally, but that did not happen, but that is behind us. We have Cosafa; we analysed our mistakes, and we are looking forward to that," said Benjamin.
Chance to show off
In addition, players like Peter Shalulile and Riaan Hanamub will not be available for the tournament as it not on the Fifa calendar, and thus clubs are not obligated to release players.
However, young players have a chance to step up, according to Benjamin.
"Aprocius Petrus did a great job as a left back in Tanzania in the Afcon qualifier match. Junior Petrus is burning and waiting for his chance, and Elmo Kambindu hasn’t played in a long time and has a chance to show why he is also the best," Benjamin added.
Namibia are drawn in group A alongside hosts South Africa, Botswana and Eswatini and are set to have their opening match against South Africa on Wednesday at the King Zwelithini Stadium at 18:00.
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