Namibia to participate in women’s COSAFA Championships without key playmaker

WINDHOEK, Sept. 4 — Namibia’s senior women’s football team “The Brave Gladiators” will be without the services of playmaker Zenatha Coleman at this year’s Council of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) Women’s Championships in South Africa.
Coach Brian Isaacs revealed this in a statement when he announced the team that will take on Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Uganda in Group B of the tournament in Port Elizabeth from Sept. 12 to 22.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, our foreign based players such as Zenatha Coleman, who just joined a new club and is at pre-season session, will not be joining us in South Africa,” Isaacs said.
According to Isaacs, in the absence of the country’s league, the senior team has been engaging in friendly matches with the U15, U17, and U19 squads of a local SKW club and said they realized lack of game time cost the team in last year’s tournament.
He said that Namibia’s objective this time around is to proceed to the next stage and perform better than last year, adding that the secret to achieving great results is not only to plan well, but also to play well.
Namibian captain Emma Naris, said the team spirit is high, with everyone prepared to give their best.
“I feel honored to be the captain of the Brave Gladiators. This will be my first time leading this group to COSAFA; it is a huge responsibility, but I know the team is ready and I trust we will do much better than last year,” Naris said.
Namibia’s first hurdle will be on Sept. 13 against Zimbabwe; Sept. 15 against Uganda and finally finish off Group C against Swaziland on Sept. 17. – XINHUA