Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Augustine Hwata
2 May 2008
Harare — ZIMBABWE'S opponents in Sunday's African Nations Championships first round, Namibia, have been hit by injuries to three key players ahead of their first leg showdown against the Warriors at Gwanzura.
The Brave Warriors of Namibia, travelling with a delegation of 25, were expected in Harare around 9pm last night.
But Namibian leading scorer Pineas Jacobs was set to miss the trip to Harare as he was ruled out after twisting an ankle during training on Wednesday.
According to reports from Namibia, another Oshikandela Ramblers player Luther Kanalelo has been dropped from the team after spraining his ankle during an MTC NFA Cup quarter-final tie against Tigers at Mariental last weekend.
However, Namibia's Dutch coach Arie Schans is understood to have brushed aside talk that his side would be affected by the absence of the three players and expressed satisfaction with his team's preparations.
"We are very fortunate that the domestic league is in full swing and the physical condition of the players is perfect, so I am not really worried about the fitness level of the players," he said.
Schans said he would be looking for a more positive result than the one in their last assignment, an international friendly against Malawi in Windhoek which they lost 3-0.
"Unlike the team that played against Malawi where I was not personally involved with the selection of the squad, this time I have been hands on after watching the players during the quarter-finals of the MTC NFA Cup over the last couple of weeks," said Schans.
The Dutchman believes the Namibians put on a pathetic show against the Flames of Malawi but the coach was positive that they had worked on their shortcomings.
"The match was kind of a dummy run and we certainly learned a lot of things from that game and we should be able to play with more commitment in our next match against Zimbabwe," Schans told The New Era.
He said he was aware the Warriors would be difficult to beat and pointed to the fact that Dynamos recorded a stunning victory over continental club champions Etoile du Sahel, an indication of the strength of Zimbabwean football.
Meanwhile, the Lesotho Under-20 team arrived in Harare at dawn yesterday with Esperance trialist striker Neo Makama as their biggest trump card.
Makama, who is now back at South African side Orlando Pirates, missed their reverse fixture where Lesotho won 1-0 but has been called up for the return leg of the African Youth Championships first round at Gwanzura tomorrow.
Lesotho's Under-20 coach Lestalakobo Lephoto has brought in two other players who have had stints with the senior national team.
Lephoto yesterday conducted a training session at Prince Edward School and predicted a tough game against Zimbabwe who are seeking to overturn the deficit from the first leg.
Lesotho's head of delegation and former Under-20 manager Tsiu Monnie yesterday said they would be leaving nothing to chance in their game.
Monnie was manager of the team that knocked out Zimbabwe from the same competition in 2004 and is still nostalgic about the win.
"Yes, we knocked out Zimbabwe the last time and hope to repeat the feat this time.
"But I must say Zimbabwe are a very difficult side and they really gave us a good challenge in the first leg although we won.
"Now Zimbabwe are at home and we expect that they will be throwing missiles at us right from the onset and we have came prepared for that in our bulletproofs," said the stocky Monnie.
A very likable fellow, Monnie said Makama could be one to carry the day for their team.
"He is a very intelligent player who has been training with the senior side.
"The fact that he has been to Orlando Pirates and Esperance speaks for itself.
"I think he is a brilliant player and you will see him for yourself.
"We also have some players who came through Under-17 and have been exposed at international level while some of the previous Under-20 have graduated to the senior team.
"Our system is that we try to get the Under-17 through to the Under-20 and then senior team.
"It's how we want to build the senior team but not all the players follow the system but we still get the core of the players and then bring more players," said Monnie.
While the visitors trained at PE, the Young Warriors were busy with their preparations at nearby Alex Sports Club.
Assistant Young Warriors coach Taurai Mangwiro took charge of the session as coach Methembe Ndlovu was in Bulawayo for Highlanders' Premiership battle against CAPS United.
Young Warriors team manager Bhekithemba Ndlovu announced that they have strengthened their squad by including defender Ashley Mukwena and Shooting Stars centre-back Gift Kwaramba in the side.
Former Under-20 midfielder Ovidy Karuru is being considered for the game although he remains doubtful.
"We have five new players who are yet to get passports and if we succeed, the there will be a larger pool of players to select from.
"If we do not get the passports on Friday (today), then we might certainly need Ovidy who is also wanted in the senior team.
"We will be meeting Valinhos to see if they still need Ovidy or he can come and play for us," said Ndlovu.
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