Gladiators face baptism of fire

Namibia are braced to face Zimbabwe tomorrow in their first match at the Cosafa Women's Championship in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.Their other Group C opponents are Uganda and Swaziland.The competition runs from 12 to 22 September.Namibia finished at the bottom of their group in last year's tournament in Zimbabwe. They beat Botswana 4-0, but suffered defeats to South Africa (1-3) and Lesotho (1-2).South Africa won last year's edition and together with Zambia will use this year's tournament as a build-up towards the African Women's Championship that will be held in Ghana in November.The 12 teams at this year's Cosafa tourney are Namibia, Malawi, Swaziland, Botswana, Uganda, South Africa, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Zambia, Lesotho and Mozambique.The top team in each group will advance to the semifinals, along with the best runner-up.Two stadiums will be used - the 10 000-seater Wolfson Stadium and the more intimate Gelvandale Stadium.The first Cosafa champs were held in Zimbabwe in 2002 and was won by South Africa, who beat their hosts 2-1 in the final.Four years later, the South Africans triumphed again at the finals in Zambia, when they beat Namibia 3-1 in the decider.South Africa then made it three in a row when they beat Zimbabwe in the final of the 2008 tournament in Malange, Angola. Zimbabwe then claimed the title in 2011, when they also acted as hosts, defeating South Africa 1-0 in the final.Banyana Banyana got their revenge in Bulawayo last year, when they claimed their fourth trophy in five editions. The Brave Gladiator's opening match against Zimbabwe tomorrow is at 10:00. They will play Uganda on Saturday and Swaziland on Monday at 13:00.The Namibian squad is as follows:Mellissa Matheus, Lydia Eixas, Anna Shaende, Ndapewa Katuta, Kamunikire Tjituka, Emma Naris (captain), Stacey Naris, Sharon Pieters, Lydiana Nanamus, Lovisa Mulunga, Twelikondjela Amukoto, Elmarie Fredericks, Millicent Hikuam, Beverly Uueziua, Memory Ngonda, Juliana Blou, Shanice Daries, Kylie van Wyk, Ivonne Kooper and Thomalina Adams. Anna Marie Shikusho, Fiola Vliete and Veronica van Wyk are on standby.

Gladiators face baptism of fire

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-12

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Gladiators face baptism of fire

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-12

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