Gladiators out for glory
The Brave Gladiators will clash with the Zebras of Botswana in Gaborone tonight, in the first leg of a 2020 Olympic Games qualifier.
Unam Bokkies goalkeeper Hertha Antolian Mbunze says the Brave Gladiators should always remember that they are in the hearts of every Namibian.
She was speaking ahead of tonight's 2020 Olympic Games qualifier first leg match between the Gladiators and the Zebras of Botswana in Gaborone.
The match is expected to kick off at 18:00.
“It's a game with one winner and one loser, but the one that wants it most takes it all. We believe you can do it. Not even the sky is the limit - all the best ladies,” Mbunze said.
“This time around, the sky should not be the limit girls, wishing you all the best. Let's score some goals,” former player Ndeufewa Suki Nakamwe said.
“They say our elders' blood watered our freedom... Let your goals water the pride of this nation and paint a beautiful name for the sport in Namibia. All the best ladies,” said former Nust Babes player Erica Paloma Ashipala.
The Gladiators will need all their experienced players to energise and motivate the younger ones when they square off with Botswana.
The squad has therefore roped in Europe-based Gladiators Zenatha Coleman and Veweziwa Kotjipati who have both joined the squad in Gaborone.
Together with seasoned players like Ester Hamukwaya, Lydia Eixas, Ndapewa Katuta and Uerikondjera Kasaona, they are looking to beat the Zebras on their home turf.
Strong, hardworking players such as Ndapewa Katuta and Lovisa Mulunga can also cause problems for Botswana. Captain Coleman says their task won't be easy.
“It won't be an easy match as they have home-ground advantage but the team is ready and our job is to get a good result. Winning will make things easier for us when we play the return leg at home.
“This is our time. It has been a long time coming, Namibia is ready for a win. The coaches have done well with the team selection. Now we need the support of everyone at home and hopefully we will make them proud,” Coleman said.
Tonight's much will be a tantalising affair. Another player to look out for is vice-captain Emma Naris.
Naris wore the armband last year at the 2018 Cosafa women's championship.
The player possesses great leadership qualities even though her youthful side's profligacy in front of goal cost them at the end of the tournament. She ended up winning the player of the match award twice.
Other players to keep an eye on are midfield commander Memory Ngonda, the skilful Juliana Blou and playmaker Thomalina Adams, as well as the youthful Millicent Hikuam and Beverly Uueziua, who recently signed contracts to play in the US and Taiwan, respectively.
The two teams will meet again on Tuesday, 9 April at the Sam Nujoma at 18:30. The winner over the two legs will face South Africa in the second round, while Zambia or Zimbabwe lie in wait in the third round.
The fourth round will be followed by a final round to determine Africa's representative for the 2020 Olympic Games.
The fifth-round losers get a second bite at the cherry via a playoff against Chile for a place in Tokyo, Japan.
The Brave Gladiators squad is as follows:
Mellissa Matheus, Ester Hamukwaya, Lydia Eixas, Ndapewa Katuta, Emma Naris, Uerikondjera Kasaona, Lovisa Mulunga, Lorraine Jossop, Twelikondjela Amukoto, Vewe Kotjipati, Millicent Hikuam, Beverly Uueziua, Memory Ngonda, Juliana Blou, Julia Rutjindo, Asteria Angula, Kylie van Wyk, Zenatha Coleman, Thomalina Adams and Anna Marie Shikusho.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
She was speaking ahead of tonight's 2020 Olympic Games qualifier first leg match between the Gladiators and the Zebras of Botswana in Gaborone.
The match is expected to kick off at 18:00.
“It's a game with one winner and one loser, but the one that wants it most takes it all. We believe you can do it. Not even the sky is the limit - all the best ladies,” Mbunze said.
“This time around, the sky should not be the limit girls, wishing you all the best. Let's score some goals,” former player Ndeufewa Suki Nakamwe said.
“They say our elders' blood watered our freedom... Let your goals water the pride of this nation and paint a beautiful name for the sport in Namibia. All the best ladies,” said former Nust Babes player Erica Paloma Ashipala.
The Gladiators will need all their experienced players to energise and motivate the younger ones when they square off with Botswana.
The squad has therefore roped in Europe-based Gladiators Zenatha Coleman and Veweziwa Kotjipati who have both joined the squad in Gaborone.
Together with seasoned players like Ester Hamukwaya, Lydia Eixas, Ndapewa Katuta and Uerikondjera Kasaona, they are looking to beat the Zebras on their home turf.
Strong, hardworking players such as Ndapewa Katuta and Lovisa Mulunga can also cause problems for Botswana. Captain Coleman says their task won't be easy.
“It won't be an easy match as they have home-ground advantage but the team is ready and our job is to get a good result. Winning will make things easier for us when we play the return leg at home.
“This is our time. It has been a long time coming, Namibia is ready for a win. The coaches have done well with the team selection. Now we need the support of everyone at home and hopefully we will make them proud,” Coleman said.
Tonight's much will be a tantalising affair. Another player to look out for is vice-captain Emma Naris.
Naris wore the armband last year at the 2018 Cosafa women's championship.
The player possesses great leadership qualities even though her youthful side's profligacy in front of goal cost them at the end of the tournament. She ended up winning the player of the match award twice.
Other players to keep an eye on are midfield commander Memory Ngonda, the skilful Juliana Blou and playmaker Thomalina Adams, as well as the youthful Millicent Hikuam and Beverly Uueziua, who recently signed contracts to play in the US and Taiwan, respectively.
The two teams will meet again on Tuesday, 9 April at the Sam Nujoma at 18:30. The winner over the two legs will face South Africa in the second round, while Zambia or Zimbabwe lie in wait in the third round.
The fourth round will be followed by a final round to determine Africa's representative for the 2020 Olympic Games.
The fifth-round losers get a second bite at the cherry via a playoff against Chile for a place in Tokyo, Japan.
The Brave Gladiators squad is as follows:
Mellissa Matheus, Ester Hamukwaya, Lydia Eixas, Ndapewa Katuta, Emma Naris, Uerikondjera Kasaona, Lovisa Mulunga, Lorraine Jossop, Twelikondjela Amukoto, Vewe Kotjipati, Millicent Hikuam, Beverly Uueziua, Memory Ngonda, Juliana Blou, Julia Rutjindo, Asteria Angula, Kylie van Wyk, Zenatha Coleman, Thomalina Adams and Anna Marie Shikusho.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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