Warriors in focus after win

NAMIBIA produced a great team effort to beat Libya 1-0 on Saturday.

The Brave Warriors went ahead through an early goal but as the game progressed had to defend more. But the defence was outstanding and managed to keep Libya at bay, although they also had a bit of luck on their side, with Libya hitting the woodwork three times.The Namibian players were rated out of ten and here is how they fared.Man of the Match: Collin Benjamin Abisai Shiningayamwe (6) Shiningayamwe, or Zico to his teammates, had a steady game in goal.He was calm under pressure and very effective at catching high crosses out of the air.Especially in the final ten minutes Libya launched attack after attack on Namibia’s goals, but Zico was very reliable under the high balls.He was however also lucky after being beaten several times, but Libya’s efforts hit the woodwork.Franklin April (4) April had a tough match on the left flank.He struggled to contain Libya’s tricky winger Ali Rahuma, who turned him inside out on a few occasions in the first half.April however grew in confidence as the match progressed and became more assertive in the second half.Michael Pienaar (7) Very steady in defence.He marshalled the defence well and closed Libya’s strikers down effectively.He stuck to Libyan striker Wisam Aboktaif and gave him little room to move.Pienaar also dealt effectively with the high balls that Libya launched on Namibia’s defence in the second half.Gottlieb Nakuta (5) Nakuta gave a battling display in defence.Fought hard for the ball and closed Libya’s attacks down effectively.Robert Nauseb (7) Captain Nauseb gave a fine inspirational performance and led from the front.He was in the thick of things throughout the match.Tackled hard and linked well with his midfielders.One crunching tackle at the end of the first half on Libya’s captain Nader Abousalam left him in need of medical attention.Had a great shot tipped for a corner.Nauseb received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Muna Katupose in the 75th minute.Collin Benjamin (8) A great performance by Benjamin.He showed his experience when scoring Namibia’s winning goal in the third minute when he remained composed to beat Libya’s advancing goalie with an angled shot into the net.Benjamin was Namibia’s most effective player in attack.He launched several quick counter-attacks, created chances for his teammates and came close to scoring more goals.One stinging shot in the second half was well saved by Libya’s keeper.Benjamin also stood out in defence, tackling well and winning several heading duels.Hartman Toromba (6) Did well on the right flank and managed to close Libya’s left winger Elmughraby Abdulaziz down.In the second half he played more of an attacking role, launching some attacks and crosses from the right wing.Oliver Risser (6) Risser gave a battling display and kept Libya’s strikers at bay with his physical presence.He was dangerous at set pieces like corners and free kicks and came close to scoring with headers on two occasions.But he could have done better on two occasions midway through the first half.He first blasted a free-kick over the crossbar and then headed wide of the mark after receiving the ball from a corner, unmarked at the far post.Meraai Swartbooi (6) Swartbooi had a satisfactory debut for Namibia.He set up Namibia’s goal when he put Benjamin clear with a defence splitting pass in the third minute of the match.Provided another great pass to put Benjamin clear in the box early in the second half, but the latter’s shot was well saved by the Libyan keeper.Was however well marshalled by the Libyan defence and had few opportunities as a striker.Sydney Plaatjies (6) Plaatjies had a great start to the match and two early long-range shots went whistling past the goals.An early free-kick by Plaatjies also caused some discomfort in the Libyan box before the ball was cleared away.Provided some effective crosses and combined well with his strikers.Gave a battling display and didn’t shirk away from his defensive duties.Went off injured for a few minutes in the second half before coming back on to complete the match.Letu Shatimuene (7) Had an effective game on the attack and created several chances.He wasn’t scared of taking on Libya’s defenders and especially towards the end of the match made his presence felt with some dangerous attacks down the right wing.He also took a few shots at goal and although they didn’t find the target, his confidence is growing with each match.Muna Katupose (5) Only played 15 minutes after coming on for Robert Nauseb.Didn’t have many chances but made a satisfactory debut for Namibia.Still needs more experience as a striker.Jamu Ngatjizeko (5) Only played about 5 minutes after replacing Meraai Swartbooi in the 87th minute.Made his presence felt and fought well for the ball in midfield.namibiasport.com.naBut the defence was outstanding and managed to keep Libya at bay, although they also had a bit of luck on their side, with Libya hitting the woodwork three times.The Namibian players were rated out of ten and here is how they fared.Man of the Match: Collin Benjamin Abisai Shiningayamwe (6) Shiningayamwe, or Zico to his teammates, had a steady game in goal.He was calm under pressure and very effective at catching high crosses out of the air.Especially in the final ten minutes Libya launched attack after attack on Namibia’s goals, but Zico was very reliable under the high balls.He was however also lucky after being beaten several times, but Libya’s efforts hit the woodwork.Franklin April (4) April had a tough match on the left flank.He struggled to contain Libya’s tricky winger Ali Rahuma, who turned him inside out on a few occasions in the first half.April however grew in confidence as the match progressed and became more assertive in the second half.Michael Pienaar (7) Very steady in defence.He marshalled the defence well and closed Libya’s strikers down effectively.He stuck to Libyan striker Wisam Aboktaif and gave him little room to move.Pienaar also dealt effectively with the high balls that Libya launched on Namibia’s defence in the second half.Gottlieb Nakuta (5) Nakuta gave a battling display in defence.Fought hard for the ball and closed Libya’s attacks down effectively.Robert Nauseb (7) Captain Nauseb gave a fine inspirational performance and led from the front.He was in the thick of things throughout the match.Tackled hard and linked well with his midfielders.One crunching tackle at the end of the first half on Libya’s captain Nader Abousalam left him in need of medical attention.Had a great shot tipped for a corner.Nauseb received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Muna Katupose in the 75th minute.Collin Benjamin (8) A great performance by Benjamin.He showed his experience when scoring Namibia’s winning goal in the third minute when he remained composed to beat Libya’s advancing goalie with an angled shot into the net.Benjamin was Namibia’s most effective player in attack.He launched several quick counter-attacks, created chances for his teammates and came close to scoring more goals.One stinging shot in the second half was well saved by Libya’s keeper.Benjamin also stood out in defence, tackling well and winning several heading duels.Hartman Toromba (6) Did well on the right flank and managed to close Libya’s left winger Elmughraby Abdulaziz down.In the second half he played more of an attacking role, launching some attacks and crosses from the right wing.Oliver Risser (6) Risser gave a battling display and kept Libya’s strikers at bay with his physical presence.He was dangerous at set pieces like corners and free kicks and came close to scoring with headers on two occasions.But he could have done better on two occasions midway through the first half.He first blasted a free-kick over the crossbar and then headed wide of the mark after receiving the ball from a corner, unmarked at the far post. Meraai Swartbooi (6) Swartbooi had a satisfactory debut for Namibia.He set up Namibia’s goal when he put Benjamin clear with a defence splitting pass in the third minute of the match.Provided another great pass to put Benjamin clear in the box early in the second half, but the latter’s shot was well saved by the Libyan keeper.Was however well marshalled by the Libyan defence and had few opportunities as a striker.Sydney Plaatjies (6) Plaatjies had a great start to the match and two early long-range shots went whistling past the goals.An early free-kick by Plaatjies also caused some discomfort in the Libyan box before the ball was cleared away.Provided some effective crosses and combined well with his strikers.Gave a battling display and didn’t shirk away from his defensive duties.Went off injured for a few minutes in the second half before coming back on to complete the match.Letu Shatimuene (7) Had an effective game on the attack and created several chances.He wasn’t scared of taking on Libya’s defenders and especially towards the end of the match made his presence felt with some dangerous attacks down the right wing.He also took a few shots at goal and although they didn’t find the target, his confidence is growing with each match.Muna Katupose (5) Only played 15 minutes after coming on for Robert Nauseb.Didn’t have many chances but made a satisfactory debut for Namibia.Still needs more experience as a striker.Jamu Ngatjizeko (5) Only played about 5 minutes after replacing Meraai Swartbooi in the 87th minute.Made his presence felt and fought well for the ball in midfield.namibiasport.com.na