Bamfuchile gives locals a chance to shine

BRAVE Warriors coach Ben Bamfuchile has brought in some new players, who have shown early season form in the Namibia Premier League, for tomorrow’s friendly international match against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

Civics’ midfielder Tugela Tuyeni and defender Donnelly Nel are the new additions to Bamfuchile’s squad, which will be missing experienced professionals like Henrico Botes, Hartman Toromba, Abisai Shiningayamwe and the Premiero de Agosto duo of Letu Shatimuene and Meraai Swartbooi. The squad is entirely made up of local-based players, with the exception of Quinton Jacobs of Norwegian club Bryne SC and Oliver Risser of German club Bonner SC.Patrick Jagger, who recently recovered from injury, has also made the trip to Riyadh.Two other notable inclusions are that of the in-form Eleven Arrows striker Sheya Andima and Ramblers striker Pinias Jacobs.The young African Stars goalie Maxmillian Mbaeva will deputise for Athiel Mbaha between the sticks.Mbaeva got the nod ahead of Shiningayamwe and Ephraim Tjihonge, who are both unavailable.Also missing from the squad is Oshakati City striker Muna Katupose who had to stay in Namibia due to school commitments.Experienced defenders Michael Pienaar and Richard Gariseb are fancied to start in the heart of defence.Other players expected to form part of the Brave Warriors rearguard are Gottlieb Nakuta, Franklin April, Jeremia Baisako, Nel and Chris Katjiukua.Jacobs is likely to be given his favourite free role behind the strikers, while the anchor position will be highly contested by Risser and Civics’ versatile midfielder Jamunovandu Ngatjizeko.Other players expected to fill the midfield roles are Rudi Louw, Tara Katupose, Brian Brendell, Tuyeni and Jagger.Bamfuchile has minimal options upfront with only Rudolph Bester, Andima and Pinias Jacob as the ideal candidates to bolster his attack.Saudi Arabia are ranked 52 according to the latest FIFA world rankings, compared to Namibia’s 101.The squad is entirely made up of local-based players, with the exception of Quinton Jacobs of Norwegian club Bryne SC and Oliver Risser of German club Bonner SC.Patrick Jagger, who recently recovered from injury, has also made the trip to Riyadh.Two other notable inclusions are that of the in-form Eleven Arrows striker Sheya Andima and Ramblers striker Pinias Jacobs.The young African Stars goalie Maxmillian Mbaeva will deputise for Athiel Mbaha between the sticks.Mbaeva got the nod ahead of Shiningayamwe and Ephraim Tjihonge, who are both unavailable.Also missing from the squad is Oshakati City striker Muna Katupose who had to stay in Namibia due to school commitments.Experienced defenders Michael Pienaar and Richard Gariseb are fancied to start in the heart of defence.Other players expected to form part of the Brave Warriors rearguard are Gottlieb Nakuta, Franklin April, Jeremia Baisako, Nel and Chris Katjiukua.Jacobs is likely to be given his favourite free role behind the strikers, while the anchor position will be highly contested by Risser and Civics’ versatile midfielder Jamunovandu Ngatjizeko.Other players expected to fill the midfield roles are Rudi Louw, Tara Katupose, Brian Brendell, Tuyeni and Jagger.Bamfuchile has minimal options upfront with only Rudolph Bester, Andima and Pinias Jacob as the ideal candidates to bolster his attack.Saudi Arabia are ranked 52 according to the latest FIFA world rankings, compared to Namibia’s 101.