Corry Ihuhua
16 May 2008
BRAVE Warriors coach Arie Schans says the players are upbeat and Namibia have a good chance of making it to the next stage of the African Nations Championships when they meet Zimbabwe at the Independence Stadium tomorrow.
Kick-off is at 15h00.
Schans told The Namibian Sport in an interview that the players have a good fighting spirit and were certain of a win on home soil after a goalless draw in Harare during the first leg.
The Zimbabwean team arrived late yesterday.
"They have showed a lot of aggression and hunger at training and everyone wants to be in the team.
That is a good sign and I am positive about the result on Saturday," he said.
He reported no major injuries at this stage, saying that all the players are fit for selection, but was a bit concerned that striker Pineas Jacob was still not fit due to an ankle injury.
Jacobs has been declared fit by the Warriors medical team, but Schans is not sure about him.
"He told me that he had the ankle injury for a long time and I don't want to risk him, but we will see because he told me that he can play," said the Dutch coach.
He said he was relatively satisfied with the fitness of the players, as some of them have been turning out for their clubs recently.
"Playing for their clubs did them good and we are lucky that they did not come back with any injuries," he added.
Schans, who was asked to lead the Warriors to the African Nations Cup in Ghana earlier this year, said Namibia has to show on home ground that they are "the bosses".
Meanwhile, Norwegian-based Namibian international Quinton Jacobs, who is on a break from his club, trained with the team this week.
Schans said he has to keep on training for future matches and with his experience he also helped the younger players at training.
For Namibia, experienced defenders and midfielders are in abundance on the international level, with Michael Pienaar expected to skipper the side on the day.
He is likely to be employed in defence with Gottlieb Nakuta and Jeremia Baisako, two of the most experienced defenders on that level, while in the midfield, the Civics foursome of Jamu Ngatjizeko, Victor Helu, Tugela Tuyeni and Brian Brendell are possible starters.
The striking force will be manned by Arend von Stryk and Floris Diergaardt, who are expected to make the difference on the day.
Diergaardt, who has been in great form of late, will be the key man in attack and with both players having excellent aerial abilities, it will up to the wings to drive in the crosses.
This match will be the ultimate for all the players to carve themselves permanent places ahead of future matches.
On May 30, Namibia meet Kenya at the same venue for a World Cup qualifying match, and it will be up to the national team coaches to decide which locally based players will make the cut, as most professionals will be available.
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