By: Uakutura Kambaekua

Brave Warriors’ newly appointed gaffer Collin Benjamin announced a provisional squad of 35 players for the upcoming 2022 Council of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa) tournament set for Durban, South Africa, in July.

Benjamin, who was appointed last week on a five-year contract, replaced veteran coach Booby Samaria whose interim tenure at the helm of the national team came to an eventual end after three years in service.

The former Hamburg SC defensive midfielder has also roped in the services of his former Brave Warriors teammate Ronnie Kanalelo as his assistant coach, including former Chief Santos and Black Africa short stopper as the goalkeeper coach along with Garren Smith as the team doctor.

During a recent interview with the Villager, Namibia Football Association’s FIFA’s Normalisation Committee (NC) chairperson Bisey Uirab stated that he is confident that Benjamin will be able to deliver in his squad selection based on his presentation during the recruitment process.

Also speaking to this publication, Namibian sports pundit Carlos Kambaekua cited that Benjamin’s appointment by the NC came as a surprise, noting that the timing might have been wrong in measuring his predecessor’s performance given the precarious position that has befallen Namibian football.

However, Kambaekua stated that Benjamin is a highly qualified candidate, thus rendering him the top job on the national team.

On the team’s call-up, Kambaekua stated that the team has quality but will find it difficult to manoeuvre amongst Africa’s strong forces judging by the absence of a competitive league in the country. “In the absence of competitive league in the country, it’s gonna be very difficult even if you bring in Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola to coach our team,” he said.

 

Kambaekua also advised that the country should cease competing in competitive tournaments and focus on keeping local football games regular.

“Actually, we have no business playing in these qualifiers and tournaments. We should stop everything until football gets back to normal for us to start participating in these tournaments,” he said

Moreover, Kambaekua said that Benjamin’s appointment comes in handy as a coach and someone who played in one of the best European leagues. He added that he is the right man for the job as he also held top coaching roles in Germany and is someone who understands the dimension of the game. Benjamin played for almost 10 years for Harburg SC in the German Bundesliga and coached the Harburg B team as well.

Benjamin has left out most of the regular national squad starters, including South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundown player of the season, Peter and Shalulile and his counterpart Deon Hotto. He also included the under-20s in his squad.

Full squad.

Goalkeepers: Kamijanda Ndisiro, Edward Maova, Mbemutjiua Mata, Ngatangue Ruhaka.

Defenders: Appocius Petrus, Denzil Haoseb, Charles Hambira, Ivan Kamberipa, Amazing Kandjii.Tuli-Ngenovali Nashixwa, Kennedy Amutenya.

Midfielders: Marcel Papama, Wesley Katjiteo, Dynamo Fredericks, Immanuel Heita, Ngero Katua, Tjipenandjambi Karuuombe, Prinz Tjiuezam Steven Junior Damaseb, Brian Katuuo, Tjiveta Katjimuine, Uetuuru kambato, Wendel Rudah, Monis Omseb, Absalom Iimbondi.

Forwards: Elmo Kambindu, McBarry Geiseb, Bethuel Muzeu, Lionell Routh, Godwin Eiseb, and Olzen Ameb.