Africa-Press – Namibia. Football pundits are calling on Brave Warriors head coach Collin Benjamin to deploy attacking football against São Tomé and Príncipe in Francistown, Botswana, today, rather than the usual defensive approach.
The Brave Warriors’ mentor’s hold-the-ball approach proved costly, as many termed their performance below par following the 2-1 defeat to Malawi’s ‘The Flames’ at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium.
Namibian football analyst Julien Garises says the Brave Warriors were punished because of mistakes against Malawi.
The Brave Warriors – who are still seated second on 12 points in group H, seven points adrift of the group leaders, Tunisia – will face another tussle to beat the equally wounded Sao Tome and Principe today.
São Tomé and Príncipe, the second-smallest and second-least populous African sovereign state after Seychelles, has had a towering challenge to overcome against Equatorial Guinea, losing by a narrow 3-2.
Though São Tomé and Príncipe is yet to record a single victory, Benjamin is urged to do away with his defensive approach as São Tomé and Príncipe is expected to come out guns blazing.
Local football analyst, Uaka Katuamba, during an interview with Desert FM following Namibia’s defeat to Malawi, questioned why Benjamin opted for a defensive approach instead of an all-out attack.
“It makes no sense for the technical team at this stage not to play attacking football against São Tomé and Príncipe. The islanders have shown they can bang a few goals, and they will not exit the Fifa World Cup qualifiers with their tail between the legs, but I am confident they will put up a fight against Brave Warriors,” he said.
Garises warned the Brave Warriors’ technical team to avoid conceding goals that would count against them.
“We need to win against São Tomé and Príncipe. Players must reload and give us the kind of game Brave Warriors are known for. Remember that Equatorial Guinea appealed against the six-point deduction, and if they win that appeal, they will certainly overcome Namibia, and the Brave Warriors will be third.”
Although football is called ‘the beautiful game’, it can also be cruel at times, she said.
“You will be the loser if you do not capitalise on your chances.
“The experienced players need to come to the party. We cannot play as individuals; we must play as a team, and only then can we have the results.
“We really need to attack and defend as a team so that we also celebrate as a team. We have put pennies away, saving for the Fifa World Cup, and with the faith we have in our players, I know they can deliver today.”
The Brave Warriors must beat São Tomé and Príncipe and stand a chance to play in the play-offs as one of the best second-place finishers.
Katuamba was critical of the Brave Warriors’ back passes, which were detrimental and costly. He questioned Benjamin’s choice of Edward Maova in Loydt Kazapua’s place, who has more experience and more caps compared to Maova.
Benjamin needed to deploy his top-notch arsenal against São Tomé and Príncipe today and get the three points to slash Tunisia’s seven-point lead.
Garises said if the Brave Warriors can play like they did against Tunisia in their previous match, it would yield results, and that can only be realised if attacking football is at play.
“I was disappointed following the loss against Malawi last week, but I hope today against São Tomé and Príncipe we will see more attacking football and a less defensive approach, because all we need are the points to get us closer to actual qualification for the Fifa World Cup next year.
“We should be attacking from the onset against São Tomé and Príncipe, because they have nothing to lose when one looks at their record, but for Namibia to come this close and let go of the only chance to qualify for the world cup is totally heartbreaking.”
Garises said today’s match must be attack-minded and cautioned players to maintain discipline to avoid yellow cards against São Tomé and Príncipe.
The two remaining matches for Namibia in October against Liberia and group leader Tunisia are crucial, and sadly, they are away games for the Brave Warriors.
The Brave Warriors need to beat São Tomé and Príncipe today to qualify for the play-offs.
The match starts at 15h00.
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