dyton mupawaenda
NAMIBIA coach Collin Banjamin says the Brave Warriors have no option but to pick up points in their back-to-back AFCON qualifiers against their Zimbabwean counterparts.
With no points on the board, the Brave Warriors are bottom of Group J, Zimbabwe are second last on two points, while Kenya and Cameroon share top spot on four. The situation may be dire for the Brave Warriors, but there remains light at the end of the tunnel, Benjamin says.
“I am still of the opinion that nothing is lost,” he said in an interview with the Namibian Football Association website on Saturday, when naming his final squad for the crucial encounters.
“We are standing now in front of two matches against Zimbabwe.
“Very crucial, very important games that we have to definitely pick up points. Of course, Zimbabwe is also going to these matches with two points,” said Benjamin.
To achieve their goal, the Brave Warriors must stop shipping goals and find more goals.
Which is why the coach recalled no-nonsense defender Vitapi Ngaruka and added three new faces in Rivaldo Prins, Petrus Kamati and Mbakondja Tjahikika to bolster the attack.
“So, it’s also going to affect their chances for them. I am expecting good, open matches in the two games that we will be facing against Zimbabwe,” said Benjamin.
For Zimbabwe, captain Marvelous Nakamba is back in the squad, having recently returned to action at English Championship club Luton Town, following knee surgery that kept him out for some six months.
SuperSport United forward Terrence Dzvukamanja has also been called up for the first time by the new coach, Michael Nees, who took charge of the Warriors last month at the start of the AFCON qualifiers.
France-based striker Tino Kadewere returns to the 24-man squad after a hamstring injury, while Khama Billait, who made his return from international retirement last month, continues his comeback.
Namibia Squad
Goalkeepers: Loydt Kazapua, Edward Maova and Kamaijanda Ndisiro;
Defenders: Charles Hambira, Vitapi Ngaruka, Kennedy Amutenya, Ngero Katua, Riaan Hanamub, Ivan Kamberipa, Tuli Nashixwa, Arend Abubakir, Petrus Kamati and Approcius Petrus;
Midfielders: Romeo Kasume, Godwin Eiseb, Moses Shidolo, Deon Hotto, Tjahikika Mbakondja, Paulus Amutenya and Tjiueza Prins;
Forwards: Erastus Kulula, Betuel Muzeu, Rivaldo Prins and Peter Shalulile (captain). – The Namibian
Online Reporter