Brave Warriors assistant coach, CollinBenjamin, said the team that recently participated at the Council of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa) tournament currently taking place in Durban, South Africa, gained valuable experience.

Speaking to Nampa from the teams’ new training base in Dubai, Benjaminsaid the team, which was made up of mainly players who have not played alot of international football, produced encouraging performances.

“The boys gained valuable experience. We had fringe players taking responsibility and proved ourselves against a good Mozambique side. Against Malawi, some of our weaknesses were exposed,” he explained.

Benjamin added that he was encouraged by how his side played without theball, especially the organisation zone.

“Playing three games in six days was not a problem, for the boys. The boyswere used to it from back home. We played the strongest teams first so Icannot say the players were tired,” the coach added.

Benjamin said he is impressed by the quality of football being displayedat Cosafa, as it gives the young players invaluable experience from thetournament.
On his experience as a coach, Benjamin said he enjoyed the challenge andlearnt a lot.

“It gave me an opportunity to work with these young lads whom I can nowadvise with first-hand information. I managed to help identify theirindividual strengths, weakness and advice accordingly, the good thing isthey are hungry, and that makes me look forward to working with themagain,” he concluded.

Benjamin took charge of the Brave Warriors for the Cosafa tournament, while head coach, Ricardo Mannetti, worked with senior players at thePretoria High Performance Centre.

Namibia played three matches, winning two and losing one, meaning theyfailed to advance from the group stages.

From the Cosafa team, Ratanda Mbazuvara, Loydt Kazapua, Larry Horaeb, IvanKamberipa, Charles Hambira, Absalom Iimbondi, Dynamo Fredericks, Marcel Papama, Wesley Katjiteo, Joslyn Kamatuka and Isaskar Gurirab joined the international players in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for preparations ofthe Africa Cup of the Nation tournament scheduled for Egypt between 21June and 19 July.

By Maqonda Ndlovu