The Brave Warriors left for Seychelles on Tuesday morning in preparation for their African Championship (CHAN) match on Saturday, 13 March. The CHAN competition only caters for home-based players who ply their trade in local leagues on the African continent, and as such, the Brave Warriors squad shows several changes to the one that drew 1-1 against South Africa in an international friendly on March 3.
Nine foreign-based players have been released from the squad, namely defenders Hartman Toromba, Oliver Risser and Michael Pienaar, midfielders Quinton Jacobs, Sydney Plaatjies, Paulus Shipanga, Razundara Tjikuzu and Rudolph Bester and striker Wilko Risser.
Local based players who have remained in the squad are both the goalkeepers Athiel Mbaha and Virgil Vries; defenders Steven Goagab, Richard Gariseb and Nelson Geingob; and midfielders Rudy Louw Ninja Karongee, Eslin Kamuhanga and Heini Isaacks.
Local based players who have been recalled to the squad are defenders Ralph Ellinger, Gotlieb Nakuta and George Hummel; midfielder Edward Asino and strikers Jerome Louis and Tangeni Shipahu.
There are also three new additions in midfielders Martin Kambungu of first division club, Swakopmund FC and Ronald Ketjijere of African Stars; and striker Eusebio Fredericks of Ramblers.
Brave Warriors coach Tom Saintfiet said his team was well prepared and that they would not underestimate Seychelles.
“After our good result against South Africa we must be ready for the next battle. Many people might underestimate Seychelles, but that would be a big mistake. They have a new Swedish coach, they play good organised defensive football, similar to us, and their U20 team beat Namibia 4-2 at the U20 Cosafa Championships in December,” he said.
“It will not be easy and I don’t know what to expect in terms of accommodation or the atmosphere at the match, so we must be well prepared. We need at least a draw and will go there with the intention to take the first step towards qualifying for the second round,” he added.
The final squad of 18 players was selected following national trials in February that was attended by 50 players. That squad was whittled down to 25 players before the final squad of 18 for the trip to Seychelles was announced.
Saintfiet said that the technical staff was convinced that they had selected the strongest squad for the match.
“We are convinced that these are the best players in our system and the others that were dropped didn’t prove that they deserve to be there. It is nice to also have a first division player in the squad in Martin Kambungu, because it shows the nation that the national coaches are scouting all over the country for talent,” he said.
The Brave Warriors departed from Windhoek International Airport at 07h00 on Tuesday and will arrive in Seychelles 24 hours later after a round about trip via Johannesburg and Dubai.
Saintfiet said the team will have one training session on Wednesday and two on Thursday before the match which is scheduled to take place on Saturday afternoon.
Brave Warriors squad:
Goalkeepers
Athiel Mbaha
Virgil Vries
Defenders
Steven Goagab
Ralph Ellinger
Gottlieb Nakuta
George Hummel
Richard Gariseb
Nelson Geingob
Midfielders
Ninja Karongee
Rudy Louw
Martin Kambungu
Ronald Ketjijere
Eslin Kamuhanga
Heini Isaacks
Edward Asino
Strikers
Jerome Louis
Tangeni Shipahu
Eusebio Fredericks