New faces promise fireworks for Brave Warriors

MANZINI, 19 APR  – Brave Warriors players selected to represent Namibia for the first time have promised fireworks if called upon during the international friendly match against Swaziland on Thursday.
Namibia will play Swaziland in Manzini on Thursday at 18h00.
The senior national team arrived in Swaziland Wednesday night for the match that will form part of celebrations for Swaziland’s 50th independence and King Mswati III’s 50th birthday.
Speaking to Nampa Thursday morning, the players travelling with the senior national team for the first time said they are looking forward to doing the nation proud when they step onto the football field.
Marius Hashipala of Walvis Bay’s Blue Waters Football Club said it feels good to be selected for the national team and he is looking forward to gaining his first cap for the senior national team.
“The one-day training went well and I am happy to be part of the national team for the first time. Coming to this tournament will expose me to international football and I hope we will win this game,” he said.
University of Namibia midfielder Marcell Papama, who has represented Namibia before at youth level, said being selected for this tournament from a big pool of local players shows that hard work pays off. He said he is ready to repay the coaches for believing in him.
“It will really be hard to break into the senior national team when all the foreign-based players are called up to represent the nation, but being selected for the team motivates me,” Papama said.
He added that the level of training at senior national level is hard, but it encourages him to continue working hard at club level.
Willem Pinehas, who plays for another coastal outfit, Eleven Arrows, said it is a good experience to travel out of the country to represent his nation.
Being the only representative from Arrows in the national team is proof to him that hard work at club level can get the attention of national selectors.
“I feel a little bit of pressure representing my country for the first time, also because Marius (Hashipala) and I are now ambassadors of our region as we are the only players from Erongo. But this opportunity will make me gain good experience, which will be good for me going forward,” said Pinehas.
Ikuaterua Hoveka of Young African from Gobabis, who also got his first call-up to the national team, stated that he will give it his all if given a chance to make his debut for the Brave Warriors as he wants to make it memorable.

NAMPA