Windhoek — Internationally acclaimed local boxing promoter Nestor Tobias has joined the chorus of thousands of Brave Warriors supporters in applauding the team for its gutsy display against Kenya.

The revamped Warriors defeated the Harambee Stars by a solitary goal in a FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifier in freezing weather conditions in a match that attracted an unusually decent crowd to Independence Stadium on Saturday.

Tobias also steered his protégé Imms "Prince" Naidjala to the successful defence of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa Interim title in the bantamweight division, following his unanimous victory over the showboating Kenyan challenger in Windhoek on Friday.

"We need to change our mindset and move on with our thinking. There is an urgent need to trust and give talented local coaches a chance to prove themselves internationally and I would therefore sincerely call upon the Namibian Football Association (NFA) to make the position of incumbent interim Warriors coach Norii Kaanjuka a permanent one.

"He has certainly proven himself within a short space of time as a competent mentor who possesses the required expertise to take our football team to the next level," says Namibia's most successful boxing promoter-cum-trainer.

He added that Namibian boxing has produced world-class boxers, including a world champion under the tutorship of local coaches, an achievement that backs his statement.

Meanwhile, many football followers complained bitterly and castigated the NFA about the late kick-off (18h00), claiming that it was extremely cold to go out at such a time and also questioned the rationale behind the time change.

The match was scheduled at the same time as the live broadcast of the Euro 2012 finals underway in Ukraine and Poland.

An insider with intimate knowledge of the maneuverings at Soccer House confirmed to New Era Sports that the change of time was indeed a strategic move to unsettle the nerves of the East Africans in an effort to affect their game plan, since they are not used to freezing weather conditions.