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Namibia/South Africa: Brave Gladiators Meet Banyana Today
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The Namibian (Windhoek)
8 May 2008
Posted to the web 8 May 2008
Corry Ihuhua
Windhoek
THE Brave Gladiators are destined for the final of the Cosafa Women's Championships, provided they beat South Africa in a semi-final clash in Luanda, Angola today.
If they win, the Namibians will make it to their second ever final in the competition, after finishing as runners-up in the 2006 edition which was won by South Africa.
This time, Namibia won both their group matches against Swaziland and Mozambique over the weekend, to make it to the semi-finals of the biennual event.
The side lost 3-1 to Angola on Monday, but had already qualified for the semi-finals with their two wins at the weekend.
Zimbabwe meet Angola in the second semi-final which will be played later today.
The final will be decided on Saturday.
Namibia's women's football co-ordinator, Jackey Gertze, told The Namibian Sport from Luanda yesterday that the South Africans will be tough to beat as they have a lot of experienced players.
"They have basically kept the same side for a longer period and they will be difficult opponents.
Their players have a lot of mental strength, but it will also be a question of how tactically we will approach the game too," she said.
She said striker Emma Awises picked up an injury but will be available for the match, while another, Salome Iyambo, who was also doubtful, could be in action.
Awises was named Player of the Match against Mozambique, while at this stage, Bianca Fredericks of Okahandja Beauties is the top goalscorer among the Namibians.
She said Namibia stands a chance to make it to the final provided the girls keep up with the hard-running South Africans and make their presence felt.
"The opposition has the mental strength and will be carried by this during the match, but we have a good chance to advance if we make use of every opportunity we get in front of goal," she said.
She said in the match against Angola, the Namibian players were overshadowed because of their small physique and also lost it in the second half.
"Most of the Angolan players are physical and it was difficult to penetrate the defence as often as we wanted," she said.
She added that both teams will go out for an attacking game as they hope to reach the final.
"Despite the fact that some of our players are smaller in physique, there will be no excuse to give the opposition a run for their money.
In fact, we take each game as it comes and we are fighting to reach the final spot," she said.
Gertze said the tournament was important as it gives the coaches the opportunity to monitor the young players.
She said Mozambique has a relatively young team, but Angola possibly has the oldest team as most of their players were born in the early 1970's.
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She said it was also the only competition among the Southern African neighbours apart from the African and World Championships.
Namibia has made tremendous strides in the development of women football with regional leagues in the country, while the national football association and Government have given a lot of financial support to allow them more international participation.
The team is coached by former player Jacqui Shipanga, while Golla van Staden is the assistant coach.
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