Namibia and Swaziland will clash in a pre-2017 COSAFA Women’s Championship warm-up match in Windhoek on Saturday, a chance for both teams to fine-tune their preparations for the September 13-24 tournament in Zimbabwe.
The Brave Gladiators are led by experienced Namibian coach Brian Isaacs and will kick a ball in anger for the first time in 18 months as they build towards the regional showpiece event.
With such a long period of inactivity, Isaacs admits he still needs to get to know a lot of his players, and the friendly with Swaziland will be an invaluable exercise in that regard.
“I have to see what I have and how regional football is and then plan what we need to do in terms of going into COSAFA,” Isaacs told the Namibia Football Association website. “Expectations for COSAFA will be premature to state now. I have to use my knowledge and experience.
“The girls have been inactive for a long time and I need to see what I can work with and what changes need to be made before we go to COSAFA.”
Namibia have been draw in Group C at the 2017 COSAFA Women’s Championship along with three-time winners South Africa, Lesotho and Botswana.
They will play their tournament opener in the very first match against Botswana on September 13.
Namibia training squad: Agnes Kauzuu, Melisa Matheus, Mamie Kasaona, Ndapewa Katuta, Stacey Naris, Ester Amukwaya, Anna-Marie Shikusho, Juliana Skrywer, Juliana Blou, Lovisa Mulunga, Vistoria Shangula, Memory Ngonda, Twanyanyukwa Astino, Martina Tjauha, Twelikondjela Amukoto, Lorraine Jossop, Elmarie Fredericks, Naemy Haindongo, Elina Uulumbu, Sarafina Nakashole and Lydia Naluno.
