Libya clash crucial: Bamfuchile

WINDHOEK – The forthcoming African Nations Cup qualifier against Libya on March 24 is crucial, as it will make their path easier to get to the next round, Brave Warriors coach Ben Bamfuchile said yesterday.

The Zambian-born coach has a daunting task of ensuring that the Brave Warriors go pass the North African country. Bamfuchile yesterday told Nampa that the Brave Warriors must beat Libya to be in good standing in the group.The group 10, in which Namibia is drawn, also involves Ethiopia and Congo Brazzaville.He said if the Brave Warriors lose to Libya, it will later be an uphill battle to qualify, therefore he will call up foreign-based players in Europe and South Africa to play in the tie which is scheduled for Tripoli in Libya.He said the calling of foreign-based players will not be at the expense of the local players, adding that to beat Libya he needs all the necessary experience at his disposal.Namibia last qualified for the continental showpiece in 1998 where they failed to proceed beyond the group stages.In their hope to put up a good showing, the Brave Warriors technical committee will have a meeting today to map out the way forward in terms of preparations.He said that plans are underway to have an international friendly or to have the team attend a training camp outside the country.”These will be discussed at tomorrows’ (today’s) meeting,” said Bamfuchile.According to him, the team will have a higher concentration level if they attend training beyond the country’s borders.He said a training camp locally affects the players’ concentration as conditions are always the same.Despite ensuring that Namibia qualifies for the African Nations Cup final in Ghana next year, Bamfuchile is to make sure the national team progresses right to the final of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup later this year.Namibia will only play in the Cosafa tournament in August, with their matches scheduled for Botswana.NampaBamfuchile yesterday told Nampa that the Brave Warriors must beat Libya to be in good standing in the group.The group 10, in which Namibia is drawn, also involves Ethiopia and Congo Brazzaville.He said if the Brave Warriors lose to Libya, it will later be an uphill battle to qualify, therefore he will call up foreign-based players in Europe and South Africa to play in the tie which is scheduled for Tripoli in Libya.He said the calling of foreign-based players will not be at the expense of the local players, adding that to beat Libya he needs all the necessary experience at his disposal.Namibia last qualified for the continental showpiece in 1998 where they failed to proceed beyond the group stages.In their hope to put up a good showing, the Brave Warriors technical committee will have a meeting today to map out the way forward in terms of preparations.He said that plans are underway to have an international friendly or to have the team attend a training camp outside the country.”These will be discussed at tomorrows’ (today’s) meeting,” said Bamfuchile.According to him, the team will have a higher concentration level if they attend training beyond the country’s borders.He said a training camp locally affects the players’ concentration as conditions are always the same.Despite ensuring that Namibia qualifies for the African Nations Cup final in Ghana next year, Bamfuchile is to make sure the national team progresses right to the final of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup later this year.Namibia will only play in the Cosafa tournament in August, with their matches scheduled for Botswana.Nampa