Namibian campaigners Ronald Ketjijere, Petrus Shitembi, Lloyd Kazapua and Charles Hambira all make a welcome return to the Brave Warriors squad ahead of next month’s friendly international against South Africa.
The quartet’s experience is invaluable to the relatively novice Warriors team preparing for a “jam-packed” schedule over the next five months, head coach Collin Benjamin said.
The most notable returnee is combative midfield anchor Ketjijere, who last featured for Namibia as captain in July 2019 when the Brave Warriors lost 4-1 to Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
The 35-year-old with 74 caps has made himself available again following extensive talks with Benjamin, who yesterday announced a squad of 43 players to camp for the 9 September friendly match in Johannesburg and subsequent African Nations Championships first round qualifiers.
The coach waxed lyrical over Ketjijere, saying the African Stars captain was “a mentality monster”, the consummate professional and in peak condition despite his advanced years.
“The Mercedes-Benz of Namibian football, I’ve been in contact with him since I took this job. He’s the personification of a leader with commitment, effort and an absolute professional. I don’t think there’s a player more committed than he is,” Benjamin said.
Ketjijere’s potential successors – Ngero Katua and Devin Somseb – are not yet the finished article, prompting Benjamin to turn to the old school midfield enforcer.
“His role, we spoke about it. It’s very clear that he’s coming to help this team. In the short term, he’s here to lead these boys through his attitude. That is exactly what we want from any Namibian player. He’s happy to be back with the national team and pass on his experience,” said Benjamin.
Shitembi (31), who briefly assumed the captaincy after the Afcon, makes his return after kicking his heels for a year on the sidelines without a club.
With 74 caps to his name, the playmaker has the most appearances in the current squad behind Ketjijere and veteran utility man Denzil Haoseb, who has the most caps for Namibia with 80.
Shitembi’s last international match was the 1-1 Afcon stalemate against Burundi in March 2022.
Benjamin recalled the enterprising attacking midfielder after recently signing for Malaysian topflight club Kuching City.
Meanwhile, first choice gloves-man Kazapua (34) is back in the side after serving a two-match suspension, with centre-half Hambira (33) returning after making a full recovery from injury sustained in the 1-1 draw away to Cameroon in March.
“It’s exciting times. The Brave Warriors are going to be busy for the upcoming months. We’ve got engagements in September, October, in November we have two and in December we might have two as well. And till things are proven otherwise we also have the nations cup in January,” Benjamin noted.
When naming his latest selection, Benjamin said he believes the ensemble to be the strongest the country has at its disposal.
He anticipates a good showing against South Africa in a match that could see some of the newcomers and fringe players feature.
There are several new faces in the senior set-up, including goalkeeper Mervin Kasetura of first division side Prison IV; central defender Utjevera Rukata of topflight newcomers Okakarara United; “explosive striker” Alfeus Leevi who fired Chula Chula to the premier division; right back Erasmus Ikeinge from Southern Stream First Division champions Nampol; with ex-junior international holding midfielder Tjipenandjambi Karuuombe also getting the nod.
“This is also a platform where we can put ourselves in the shop window, seeing what is in front of us; the World Cup qualifiers and also the nations cup,” Benjamin said.
The team starts training on 21 August in Windhoek.
In the training squad are:
GOALKEEPERS
Loydt Kazapua (Chippa, RSA), Kamainjanda Ndisiro, (African Stars), Jonas Mateus (Orlando Pirates), Mervin Kasetura (Prison IV), Immanuel Immanuel (Blue Waters).
DEFENDERS
Ryan Nyambe (Unattached), Ivan Kamberipa (Orapa United, BOT), Erasmus Ikeinge (Nampol FC), Charles Hambira (African Stars), Kennedy Amutenya (Gaborone United), Given Mutuezu (Mighty Gunners), Denzel Haoseb (Black Africa), Utjevera Rukata (Okakakara Warriors), Ananias Gebhardt, (Baroka, RSA), Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu, RSA), TuLi Nashixwa (Ramblers), Aprocius Petrus (Liria Prizren, KOV), Brandon Neibeb (Orlando Pirates).
MIDFIELDERS
Reverend Matroos (Young Brazilians), Devin Somseb and Lawrence Doeseb (Life Fighters), Ndero Katua and Paulus Amutenya (Unam), Dynamo Fredericks (Jwaneng Galaxy), Prins Tjiueza (Liria Pritzren, KOV), Ronald Ketjijere Uetuurro Kambato (African Stars), Marcel Papama (Township Rollers, BOT).
FORWARDS
Absalom Iimbondi (Tigers), Joslin Kamatuka (Maritzburg Utd, RSA), Peter Shalulile (Sundowns, RSA), Bethuel Muzeu (Black Leopards, RSA), Alfeus Leevi (Chula Chula), Romeo Kasume and Simon Elago (Ongos), Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates, RSA), Wendell Rudath (Jwaneng, BOT), Edmar Kamatuka (African Stars), Erwin Tjiuja and Eliakim Jadsson (Life Fighters), Petrus Shitembi (Kuching City, MAL), Tjipee Karuuombe (Unam) and Nehemia Ndengu (Prison IV).
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