Kaanjuka plots Warriors’ rise

Namibia’s national football team, the Brave Warriors, are undergoing what can be described as a mini revolution under coach Bernard Kaanjuka.

There is a certain flair attached to the team as management try to steer them into a bright new future.

Most of the players are relatively young with the result that very few of them can be considered household names.

That, though, can change very soon as the Brave Warriors are just four games away - starting with a two-legged tie against Liberia on February 29 - from qualifying for the 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be staged in South Africa.

This group of players, therefore, have a great chance to write their names in the history books to become only the third Namibian side to reach the AFCON.
Namibian Sun looks at some of the locally based players Kaanjuka has roped in to help him achieve this milestone.

STRONG BACKLINE

A winning team needs a strong defense and this is something the current team seems to posses in abundance as they have yet to concede a goal after five games.

Kaanjuka can choose from Black Africa’s Arnold Subeb and the South African-based duo Ephraim Tjihonge and Virgil Vries to mind the goals.

The central defense is shaping up to belong to Tigers’ Willem Mwedihanga and Black Africa’s Da Costa Angula while Ramblers’ Larry Horaeb is the undisputed boss at right back. But it is the left back slot which is problematic where African Stars’ experienced player Jamu Ngatjizeko deputises for Steven Sabatha of Tigers.

HARDENED BATTLERS

In African Stars’ Ronald Ketjijere and Black Africa’s Denzil Haoseb, Kaanjuka has two players who have proved themselves as exceptional fighters in the middle of the park.

Because Haoseb can play in various positions he further offers the team a certain versatility that you will find in any winning football team.

ATTACKING FLAIR

The current team is blessed with many attacking midfield players, which is very evident at every Brave Warriors training sessions.

Black Africa’s trio of Eslin Kamuhanga, Willy Stephanus and Bryan Bantam can strike fear into any opposition but it is the return to form of Civics’ Heini Isaacs that promises so much excitement for the Warriors.

Isaacs is a modern day Namibian genius, who not only scores spectacular goals but is also fond of setting up his teammates with chances.

Adding players like Tigers’ Junior Gebhart and Rundu Chiefs’ Petrus Shitembi to the mix gives Kaanjuka plenty to think about.

DEADLY FINISHERS

This is perhaps the only position where the locally-based strikers will have to make way for the foreign-based players but Sadney Urikhob, who has found his scoring touch at Civics, and Tigers’ Benson Shilongo, who has scored five goals in the league thus far, offer great hope that the team has quality forwards.

Include BA duo of Bradley Wermann and the injured Jerome Louis, as well as the fast improving Hendrik Somaeb of Blue Waters among the strikers, and it becomes clear that the Kaanjuka is earnestly planning a major coup for the Warriors.

The team will be in action today at 16:00 at the Independence Stadium. Entrance is free.

click to enlarge IN CHARGE: Bernard Kaanjuka (facing camera) explains his tactics to the team	click to enlarge INSTIGATOR: Heini Isaacs’ creative fl air can spark any team into playing great football	click to enlarge THE ROCK: Willem Mwedihanga is very aggressive in defence	click to enlarge THE MINDER: Black Africa’s goalkeeper Arnold Subeb has been superb for his club
click to enlarge ANCHOR MAN: Ronald Ketjijere is the glue that holds the midfi eld together