Africa-Press – Namibia. PETRUS Shitembi lauded the youthful Brave Warriors who lost 1-0 to Zambia in Sunday’s Cosafa Cup final in Durban, South Africa, for going “beyond expectations”.
The Malaysia-based Shitembi, who is the regular Brave Warriors captain, made note of the fact that most players in the team don’t play competitive football, which is more reason to be proud of them for pushing until the last possible minute of the tournament.
“It does not help us that you take these boys and they are not active but for them to push themselves to that extent is massive, so we can only congratulate them and be proud of them,” he said on the Breakfast in the Desert show on Desert Radio on Monday.
The Brave Warriors pushed the joint record winners, Chipolopolo, to extra time following a goalless 90 minutes.
It took an unfortunate moment for Namibia goalkeeper Edward Maova to hand Zambia the victory, after Albert Kangwanda’s curling shot cannoned off the post and hit the showstopper before nestling in the back of the net.
“I take pride in the efforts that the boys put in given the circumstances back home. Giving such a push and going to such extents.”
He said he is optimistic about the future of the national team.
“I’m very proud of them and we can only hope for the best going forward. Obviously, taking into account the situation does change, which will help everybody a lot,” he said.
Shitembi said the Warriors’ valiant effort should be placed in the context of the lamentable state of Namibian football, which is now under the control of a Fifa Normalisation Committee (NC).
While pledging his full support of the new Fifa NC to revive Namibian football, Shitembi said he wanted to see results.
“They have started decently well. We have met them and with the chats we had, they are really trying to push going forward to try to change situations around our football,” Shitembi said.
He equally welcomed the appointment of head coach of the national team, Collin Benjamin, who he praised for his performance at the regional tournament.
“The coach as well, the technical team all together. They have been with the team a few weeks and managed to do a tremendous job.”
Shitembi expressed his belief in Benjamin.
“Coach Collin is no stranger to the fields. We were together not too long ago. He was coaching as the second assistant to coach Ronnie (Kanalelo). We have worked together before. He was the captain of the national team before, he has gone through the ranks, so he’s a familiar face,” said Shitembi.
“We welcome him. Obviously, we had a few conversations and we can only wish him well. We’re all together in this and we’re hoping for the best just to bring back the beautiful moments and memories for the country again,” he said.
AFCON AMBITIONS
The next challenge for the Brave Warriors is securing a spot in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The team made a stuttering start to their Group C campaign in early June, after being held 1-1 at home to Burundi. The result saw the end of caretaker coach Bobby Samaria’s two year-stint.
Cameroon then beat Burundi 1-0 away, to lead the standings, and can seal their spot at the continental tournament with another win against Namibia in September.
This would leave the Brave Warriors and Burundi to battle for the next qualification spot.
Shitembi said with Kenya expelled from the qualifiers, the Brave Warriors are in a ‘fortunate position’.
“We are in a bit of a fortunate group […] we are still in it and still have a massive chance. We just have to improve ourselves in terms of performance and collect some points,” Shitembi said.
“I think being in a three-team group helps us a lot in the sense that our chances of qualification are stronger than being in a normal four-team group.
“We still have a chance, we are coming up against Cameroon in September, so given a bit of fortune and putting in the work, if we collect some points out of this then we stand a very good chance.”
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