Sheefeni Nikodemus
3 June 2011
Brave Warriors coach Brian Isaacs yesterday trimmed down his squad from 29 to 20 players ahead of tomorrow’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso.
The omission of first-choice goalkeeper Athiel Mbaha and the no-show of wayward utility man Razundara Tjikuzu are the most notable developments. The veteran Mbaha was the scapegoat of the 4-0 hammering in Ouagadougou at the end of March. At the time Brave Warriors assistant Ronnie Kanalelo said Mbaha’s time “was over” which paced the way for his understudies.
For Turkish-based Tjikuzu, his latest snubbing of a call-up to national duty may just have brought down the curtain on his tumultuous international career.
Eleven Arrows captain Virgil Vries is arguably the favourite for the goalkeeping berth ahead of Ephraim Tjihonge of SKW.
As expected, Isaacs has named a much-changed side from the one that all but surrendered Afcon qualification in Burkina Faso. He has included five players from the under-23 side including Vries, Denzil Haoseb, Teberius Lombaard, Eslin Kamuhanga and Sydney Urikhob. Lombaard is the only one of the five that has not previously played at senior level.
Isaacs has also opted for previously untested but “experienced players” such Tigers defensive stalwart Willem Mwedihanga and Orlando Pirates midfielder Johannes Seibeb. Blue Boys striker Jordan Haimbili’s performances in the Namibia Premier League have also earned him a place in the squad.
The coach told The Namibian Sport the new players would add a different dimension to the team’s objectives tomorrow.
“We looked at the opposition and the positions we needed to strengthen from our game in Burkina Faso,” Isaacs said of his selection criteria.
“We opted for specific players with specific characteristics which we believe can strengthen the positions we had trouble with.”
In addition Isaacs said he was prepared to play his youngsters from the start, despite their relative inexperience at senior level.
“Of course they can play in the starting eleven,” Isaacs said. “One by one we will give them a chance to gel with the rest of the Brave Warriors.”
Isaacs also said that apart from restoring pride in the national side, they were positively aiming to rectify mistakes from that away drubbing by the ‘Stallions’.
“What happened in Burkina Faso was a mistake,” he said. “It was not a reflection of what we are capable of.
“We learnt from our mistakes in Burkina Faso and we are ready to correct them. We are very positive and want to show that we can compete with these guys.”
The match kicks off at 15h00 at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium.
In the final squad are:
Goalkeepers: Ephraim Tjihonge (SKW),Virgil Vries (Eleven Arrows).
Defenders: Hartman Toromba (Black Africa), Richard Gariseb (Orlando Pirates), Jamu Ngatjizeko (African Stars), Oliver Risser (unattached), Willem Mwedihanga (Tigers), Gotlieb Nakuta (Blue Waters), Teberius Lombaard (Tura Magic);
Midfielders: Denzil Haoseb (Black Africa), Bradley Wermann (Black Africa), Johannes Seibeb (Orlando Pirates), Sydney Plaatjies (unattached), Ronald Ketjijere (African Stars), Eslin Kamuhanga (Ramblers);
Strikers: Wilko Risser (Elversberg), Jordan Haimbili (Blue Boys), Sydney Urikhob (Ramblers), Tangeni Shipahu (Amazulu), Rudolf Bester (Maritzburg United).
AllAfrica – All the Time