Gladiators sharp and ready

After completing close to a year’s preparation, which has seen a number of players in different training camps, the Brave Gladiators have announced the team that will play in the TN Mobile CAF African Women’s Championship. The eight-country tournament gets under way next Saturday. Yesterday, Namibia’s national women’s head coach Jacky Shipanga announced her final 21-member squad. “It was a difficult time for the players and the technical team to prepare for the tournament... but we are now here,” she said at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) offices. The team has a mixture of experienced players and some upcoming youngsters. Among the veterans are strikers Elmarie ‘Kleintjie’ Fredericks and Stella Williams. Equally experienced is the team’s captain, Uerikondjera ‘Mamie’ Kasaona, who is well equipped to lead the Brave Gladiators defence after spending a number of years in Germany. As for skill, the team will look to the industrious pair of Zenatha Coleman and Thomalina Adams, whose combination is out of this world. It is a pity Alberta ‘Chicken’ Dawes did not make the team to complete the line-up of enterprising midfielders. It appears a loss of form over the last year has cost the player a place in the team. Nevertheless, the hardworking Lovisa Mulunga and Memory Ngonda will definitely work their socks off to prove that they deserve their places in the side. Speaking at the announcement, the NFA’s women department head, Jacqui Gertze, said it was very special occasion in the local football fraternity. “It is a very important moment as I’m sure the girls were on edge to find out who’ll make the team or not,” she said before highlighting the crucial role the Namibian government is playing in ensuring the tournament runs smoothly. “I’m not shy but in fact very proud to say that the government has invested around N$7 million in this event,” she said. With the team now finalised, Shipanga will be looking to this weekend’s friendly match against Algeria to demonstrate just how far the team has come. The game is set to take place at the Sam Nujoma Stadium tomorrow with 17:00 set as the kickoff time. Having played and beaten Algeria 2-1 in a practice match on Wednesday, Shipanga said she is expecting a much tougher game tomorrow as both sides will be fielding their first-choice players. “I’m satisfied with the win on Wednesday considering that we fielded most of the players who are not regular starters,” she reflected. “Obviously Saturday (tomorrow) will be different.” Contrary to reports and advertisements carried in yesterday’s papers, the match will be free of charge for the fans, Gertze clarified. Shipanga also introduced her technical team. Black Africa’s mentor Brian Isaacs takes up the role of first assistant coach. “My regular assistant, Ace Komeya, is in Germany where he is upgrading his coaching qualifications and I have therefore called upon Isaacs to take up a role he has fulfilled for the team in the past. You know his credentials,” Shipanga said. The Brave Gladiators will also be assisted by a team of technical advisors, headed by the NFA’s technical director, Klaus Staerk. The other members of the team include Brave Warriors mentor Ricardo Mannetti, Tigers’ Bobby Samaria, African Stars’ Woody Jacobs, Tura Magic’s Timo Tjongarero, NFA instructor Willy Kapukare and former national team coach Bernard Kaanjuka. One of the duties of the technical team will be do match analysis during the tournament. The African Women’s Championship consists of Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, South Africa, Zambia, Algeria and Ghana. Namibia will play their first match against Zambia next Saturday. Final Team Goalkeepers: Lydia Eixas, Susanna Eises and Agnes Kauzuu. Defenders: Iina Katuta, Uerikondjera Kasaona, Twelikondjela Amukoto, Stacy Naris, Lorraine Jossob, Ester Amukwaya and Veweziwa Kotjipati. Midfielders: Lena Noreses, Annouscka Kordom, Juliana Skrywer, Thomalina Adams, Zenatha Coleman, Memory Ngonda, Lovisa Mulunga and Shirley Cloete. Striker: Elmarie Fredericks, Stella Rita Williams and Vistoria Shangula. Shortlisted: Anna-Marie Shikusho (midfielder) and Novata Paulus (striker). WINDHOEK-HECTOR MAWONGA