The dream is alive and well
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Namibia's dream of reaching the 2019 Rugby World Cup is alive and well.
I say this because the team has been doing exceptionally as a unit.
The coaches have been having sleepless nights as they try and groom young players to compete at the prestigious event.
These are exciting times because for the last couple of years a lot of effort, including a high-performance plan has been set in motion, with the aim of qualifying for the World Cup in Japan.
For the first time, serious focus has been put on development, with the country using the SuperSport Rugby Challenge as well as the Currie Cup to test player skills and to get them ready for top competitions.
Management has roped in talented personnel with the right capacity to aid the players in their quest to get mentally and psychologically fit, as well as physically ready, as the small nation of Namibia once again fights to fly their flag at the tournament dominated by the likes of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
It is a seriously critical times, as the country has also been doing well in the Africa Gold Cup.
They opened their World Cup qualification campaign by beating Tunisia and Morocco. Namibia will play against Zimbabwe during the coming weekend.
This will surely be an acid test, as the Zimbabwean team has character and capable players to beat the Namibians. If they are able to navigate pass Zimbabwe and Kenya, there will be nothing stopping Namibia.
Players like Chrysander Botha, Renaldo Bothma, Darryl De la Harpe, Johan Deysel, JC Greyling, Eugene Jantjies, Max Katjijeko, Rohan Kitshoff, Lesley Klim, Obert Nortje, Tjiuee Uanivi and Torsten van Jaarsveld have to step up and lead the nation, if they want to run on the pitch in Japan.
But they cannot do this alone and will need the support of local fans, who will have to cheer the team on and serve as an extra player whenever they play games.
If this happens and the country goes through, more international friendlies are needed so that the coaches can see which players gel and what can be tightened. Collaboration between the club coaches, as well as the Currie Cup and our national coaches is also needed, if we are to be successful.
After all, every Namibian wishes to win a match at the World Cup and next year might just be our year. With that our ranking will also improve.
The Namibian Rugby Union should not leave any stone unturned, as we gear up for the coming battles. We should go to the World Cup, not only to make up numbers, but to beat nations and players who think that we are unable to successfully confront them. We are capable of playing amongst the best and playing well while we are at it.
We want to export great players, so that they can pick up valuable skills and rewrite the history books.
[email protected]
Namibia's dream of reaching the 2019 Rugby World Cup is alive and well.
I say this because the team has been doing exceptionally as a unit.
The coaches have been having sleepless nights as they try and groom young players to compete at the prestigious event.
These are exciting times because for the last couple of years a lot of effort, including a high-performance plan has been set in motion, with the aim of qualifying for the World Cup in Japan.
For the first time, serious focus has been put on development, with the country using the SuperSport Rugby Challenge as well as the Currie Cup to test player skills and to get them ready for top competitions.
Management has roped in talented personnel with the right capacity to aid the players in their quest to get mentally and psychologically fit, as well as physically ready, as the small nation of Namibia once again fights to fly their flag at the tournament dominated by the likes of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
It is a seriously critical times, as the country has also been doing well in the Africa Gold Cup.
They opened their World Cup qualification campaign by beating Tunisia and Morocco. Namibia will play against Zimbabwe during the coming weekend.
This will surely be an acid test, as the Zimbabwean team has character and capable players to beat the Namibians. If they are able to navigate pass Zimbabwe and Kenya, there will be nothing stopping Namibia.
Players like Chrysander Botha, Renaldo Bothma, Darryl De la Harpe, Johan Deysel, JC Greyling, Eugene Jantjies, Max Katjijeko, Rohan Kitshoff, Lesley Klim, Obert Nortje, Tjiuee Uanivi and Torsten van Jaarsveld have to step up and lead the nation, if they want to run on the pitch in Japan.
But they cannot do this alone and will need the support of local fans, who will have to cheer the team on and serve as an extra player whenever they play games.
If this happens and the country goes through, more international friendlies are needed so that the coaches can see which players gel and what can be tightened. Collaboration between the club coaches, as well as the Currie Cup and our national coaches is also needed, if we are to be successful.
After all, every Namibian wishes to win a match at the World Cup and next year might just be our year. With that our ranking will also improve.
The Namibian Rugby Union should not leave any stone unturned, as we gear up for the coming battles. We should go to the World Cup, not only to make up numbers, but to beat nations and players who think that we are unable to successfully confront them. We are capable of playing amongst the best and playing well while we are at it.
We want to export great players, so that they can pick up valuable skills and rewrite the history books.
[email protected]
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