Take it seriously - Kasaona

Former Brave Gladiators captain, Mamie Kasaona, says younger players should grab the chance to shine at the upcoming Cosafa women's championships.Kasaona, who has played football for two years at Gemania Hauerhorst and Welhemsfield FC in Germany and captained the national side since 2011, says the tournament can open doors for the players.“Think about your future and what a tournament of this magnitude might do for you. The coach picked you for a reason, so believe in your capabilities,” she said.“There are scouts always looking for new players. I encourage you all to use this opportunity well. I know some players are naturally gifted and the rest need to rely on hard work, but work towards making it to the South African women's premier league, which will soon become professional, and then take it one step at a time.”The team will travel to Port Elizabeth on 10 September for the Cosafa tourney, which starts on 12 September and will reach its crescendo ten days later. The Brave Gladiators will take on Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Uganda in their group.Kasaona said the team has a number of young players, but miracles happen every day on the field of play. The former captain also made it clear she has not quit the team, but decided not to be part of this year's Cosafa tourney, as she has private engagements lined up that could possibly clash with her participation.“I didn't want the players to depend on me, just for me to pull out of the team during the competition. I will make an official announcement soon about my future. But I don't want people to say that I have retired,” she explained.Head coach, Brian Isaacs, said in the absence of a league, the Gladiators have been playing friendly matches against under-15, 17 and 19 SKW players, adding they realised a lack of game time cost the team during last year's tournament.With the absence of foreign-based players such as Zenatha Coleman, Annoushka Kordom and Vewe Kotjipati, Isaacs had no choice but to bring in a few u-20 players.This gave the younger players exposure, while pushing the senior players to perform to the best of their abilities, he said. The Gladiators will play their first match on 13 September against Zimbabwe.They will face Uganda on 15 September and finish off the group stages by playing Swaziland on 17 September in their final Group C match.The tourney's group action will conclude on 18 September and in the semifinals are set for 20 September.The winners of Group B winners will play the best runner-up from the group stages, while the Group A winners will face the Group C winners. The bonze and gold medals matches will be contested on 22 September.LIMBA MUPETAMI

Take it seriously - Kasaona

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-16

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Take it seriously - Kasaona

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-16

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