Namibian soccer fans will be in for a treat when Eleven Arrows take on Kaizer Chiefs at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Although the match has been billed as a pre-season international friendly, there will be no love lost on the field of play as both teams are expected to field their strongest sides in preparation for the upcoming season.
At the time of writing, Chiefs had not yet confirmed their lineup but according to Arrows coach, Congo Hindjou, their top players will be coming.
“They have confirmed that they will send their strongest squad and Namibian fans will be able to see Bafana stars like Siphiwe Tshabalala and Itumeleng Khune in action. Kaizer Chiefs are a big brand and the whole continent knows about the Amakhosi, so we are expecting a big crowd because the fans will want to see the big name players,” he said.
“They will send their strongest squad, because they need to prepare for the Telkom Charity Cup which takes place the next weekend,” Hindjou added.
According to reports two of their Bafana stars - goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and winger Siphiwe Tshabalala have received a lot of interest from European clubs following their performances for Bafana Bafana at the FIFA World Cup. Khune has been linked to a German Bundesliga club, while Tshabalala is currently hot property with clubs from Turkey and Romania keen to sign him. There were even reports that Manchester United had signed a three-year deal with Tshabalala, but this was dismissed on Chiefs’ official website.
Other star players who can be expected in Namibia are Chiefs’ long serving captain Jimmy Tau; midfielders Mandla Masango, David Mathebula, Gerald Sibeko, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Josta Dladla, and strikers Jose Torrealba, Nkosinathi Nhleko and Kaizer Motaung junior.
Hindjou however said that Arrows would be well prepared and warned that Chiefs could expect a tough match.
“We have been in a training camp for the past four weeks and are very well prepared. We have played some friendly matches against some local teams from the coast and will be ready and raring to go against Chiefs,” he said.
Hindjou said they had retained most of their players of last season and just made two new signings, with two Zimbabwean players, defensive midfielder T Mbura and attacking midfielder Ronald Chira joining them from first division outfit Monitronics.
The core of the squad will be made up of seasoned players like goalie Virgil Vries, defenders George Hummel and Chris Katjiukua; midfielders Edward Asino, Romanus Shilongo and Freedom Puriza; and strikers Muna and Tara Katupose. Hindjou however said that striker Sheya Andimba would miss the match after picking up an injury in a recent friendly match.
Hindjou called on all soccer lovers to come in big numbers to watch the match.
“This is not about Eleven Arrows, but about promoting Namibian football. I can promise the fans that we will put up a great performance and Chiefs will have to work hard for their money,” he said.
Tickets for the match will cost N$40 for the Open Stand and N$300 for VIP tickets. Tickets are available at the NFA Soccer House in Katutura, the NPL Office in Windhoek, Eleven Arrows offices in Walvis Bay, Streethouse branches throughout Namibia, OTB Sports in Windhoek and Swakopmund, the JJD Information Centre in Walvis Bay and Universal Sounds in Windhoek.
Members of the public are invited to attend Kaizer Chiefs’ first training session at the Sam Nujoma Stadium at 10h00 on Friday morning.