30 October 2009
Windhoek — In two weeks time, the national rugby team faces north African rivals Tunisia in the first leg of a world cup play-off final in Tunis. The pressure is on John Williams' men to perform well away from home and build a solid foundation when Tunisia visit Windhoek at the end of November.
However, Tunisia are one of the better sides in Africa and with the home crowd behind them they will be favourites to win this particular match. They had very little trouble brushing aside Uganda in both legs of the semi-final to book their date with Namibia.
Like the good coach he is, Williams is not going to get carried away but promises that the team will be ready.
"It would be foolish to say that we are going to qualify at this stage because we do not know what to expect from Tunisia," he said.
"That being said, I can promise you that when the first leg comes around, we will be ready.
"Tunisia are a very physical side who will look to scrum hard and fight for every ball, so we will need to perform at our very best to overcome them," Williams said.
Good news for the team is that they can call on the experience of Wacca Kazombiaze, who was also in the team the last time the two countries played each other.
"They are not easy opponents because most of their players play in the French league," Kazombiaze said. In order to win, we are going to have to work three times harder than we did against the Ivory Coast".
As it proved to be an advantage playing the second leg at home against Ivory Coast in the semi-final. The second leg of this tie will also be at the Hage Geingob Stadium. However, Williams is not taking anything for granted.
"It will all depend on what happens in the first game. If we avoid defeat or even win in Tunis then we will stand a very good chance," Williams said.
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