Africa-Press – Namibia. Football analyst Hector Mawango says the Brave Warriors’ head coach, Collin Benjamin, must now direct his attention to qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Talking to Desert FM, Mawango says: “ I think chances went from slim to none. We are now at the stage where we can forget about going to the International Federation of Football Associations (Fifa) World Cup.
“Simply said, World Cup qualification is something of the past now. We need to look to the future. We need to groom as many players as we can.”
“It was extremely difficult for the Brave Warriors. However, we must respect the contractual agreement Benjamin signed with the Namibia Football Association (NFA).”
Mawango commends Benjamin’s strategy when it comes to building a team. “ What we need to focus on now is to look at the next Afcon qualification. We have not qualified for the Afcon coming up later in December in Morocco.
“Those are the things Benjamin must focus on now. The Fifa World Cup dream is over. Definitely, we should be building on that experience picked up during the world cup qualifiers, and focus on the continental showpiece.
“We need to look at the future, and make sure that these players will be groomed and get game time.” The former sports journalist says preparations in terms of bonuses for players should continue to ensure players remain motivated.
“They need to sit down and the same kind of involvement from the corporate world must also be there when it comes to the 2027 Afcon qualification. And also looking at getting the second Confederation of African Football Associations Cup.
Another local football analyst, Uaka Katuamba, has criticised the way players are changed, and the lack of consistency in the national team’s first 11.
“When it comes to qualifying matches, you don’t need to experiment with players. All that was needed was a chemistry that instilled trust and discipline.
“Tomorrow you have these players, the next time other players are introduced. There is no cohesion.
“When and where will they (players) adapt. Experimentation of players is normally done at club level, and not in the national team. You don’t test players at national level”
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
