Benjamin to experiment at Cosafa

Collin Benjamin wants the Brave Warriors to maintain their positive momentum with “a good showing” at the upcoming Cosafa Senior Challenge in South Africa.

The head coach will again use the tournament to gauge the level of his fringe players and new recruits, just as he did last year when his second-string assemble made it to all the way to the final. Namibia lost the decider 1-0 to joint-record Cosafa Cup winners Zambia in extra-time.

A similar run will do wonders for the Brave Warriors’ morale ahead of their final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Burundi.

Benjamin emphasised the need to maintain peak performance on Wednesday when naming 37 players to prepare for their Cosafa and Afcon qualification adventures.

“We definitely want to give a good showing. If we don’t have a very good tournament it might also have an effect on the spirit leading up to the Burundi game,” Benjamin told reporters at the Namibia Football Association headquarters in Windhoek.

“We want to do as good as possible, and go as far as possible in that tournament. With that said, we’re taking this risk in giving some of the younger guys a chance,” he said.

“But, it’s still a duty and responsibility for them to go as far as possible. We did end up in the final last year, so to a certain extent, expectations grew.”

Those that impress at the regional showpiece could force their way into the reckoning for the Burundi clash.

“The Brave Warriors did well in the last qualifiers when we could steal points off Cameroon that put us on top of the group. But at the same time, the situation is so crucial that Burundi, as much as people think that they are down and out, they are not,” Benjamin said of the showdown at a yet to be determined venue in East Africa.

Just like Namibia, Burundi also do not have a stadium that meets Fifa and CAF’s current requirements, with the result that the match might be played in Tanzania.

“If they beat us, and us getting a point in Cameroon also gives them the belief that they can do it. I think the situation is favourable for us. It’s in our hands and we can definitely secure qualification and for that reason, we have to be positive. We are not relying on somebody else,” said Benjamin.

The tactician called up several newcomers who have impressed in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership this season, while regulars Charles Hambira and Loyd Kazapua are not available for selection through injury and suspension respectively.

Unsurprisingly, newly crowned domestic top-flight champions African Stars enjoy prominence in the training squad, with no less than five representatives.

Among those to catch Benjamin’s eye are young defenders Arend Aboubakir of Blue Waters, Mighty Gunners’ Given Mutuezu, Nalikewe Nalweendo of struggling Citizens and enterprising Unam midfielder Paulus Amutenya.

Benjamin also wants to have a closer look at Life Fighters midfield duo of Lawrence Doeseb and Devin Somseb, while club mates Erwin Tjiuja and Eliakim Jadsson will get a chance to stake a claim for regular call-ups in the attacking positions.

NO AWILO

Benjamin explained the continued omission of the domestic top-flight’s leading scorer, Wily ‘Awilo’ Stephanus, from his selections.

Stephanus, who turns 32 in June, reportedly called time on his international career following the latest snub. One of Namibia’s most capped players, Stephanus won 62 caps, ninth on the all time list, scoring three goals.

Benjamin said the versatile attacker, who has netted 18 goals for African Stars this season, is “really doing good”, but there is no room for him in the current setup.

Benjamin prefers his captain “the best striker in Africa at the moment” Peter Shalulile (29) and his budding understudy Bethuel Muzeu Muzeu (23) in the role which Stephanus has excelled in this season.

“I’m of the opinion that Awilo is a really good player. But we have Bethuel Muzeu, he’s younger and on the verge of being a beast. He showed a good tournament last year and is under the wings of Peter [Shalulile],” Benjamin explained.

“If we play him [Stephanus] as a No.10, then it means I will have to let go of Prince Tjiueza or Edmar Kamatuka. These are youngsters who need the game-time to develop further. Unfortunately, I cannot have two 30-plus-year-olds in the team while a talented youngster is sitting at home,” said Benjamin.

Additional competition for an attacking role comes from battering ram Elmo Kambindu (29), the fleet of foot Wendell Rudath (27) and experienced duo of Absalom Iimbondi (31) and Deon Hotto (32).

“The door is not closed for anybody. Do your part, be hungry, work on yourself and bring that mentality. You will get your chance,” said Benjamin.

The full squad is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS – Edward Maova (Pretoria Callies, RSA), Ndisiro Kamaijanda (African Stars), Jonas Mateus (Orlando Pirates), Nelly Rooi (Tigers);

DEFENDERS – Ryan Nyambe (Wigan Athletic, ENG), Ivan Kamberipa (Masitaoka, BOT), Arend Aboubakir and Steven Damaseb (both Blue Waters), Kennedy Amutenya (Gaborone United, BOT), Given Mutuezu (Mighty Gunners), Denzel Haoseb (Black Africa), Gianluca Kahingunga (Okahandja United), Annanias Gebhardt (Baroka, RSA), Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu, RSA), Nalikewe Nalweendo (Citizens), Aprocious Petrus (Liria Prizren, KOV),

MIDFIELDERS – Reverend Matroos (Young Brazilians), Devin Somseb and Lawrence Doeseb (both Life Fighters), Ngero Katua (Unam), Dynamo Fredericks (African Stars), Prinz Tjiueza (Liria Prizren, KOV), Nicodemus Haikali (Tura Magic, Paulus Amutenya (Unam), Marcel Papama (Jwaneng, BOT), Uetuuro Kambato (African Stars);

FORWARDS – Absalom Iimbondi (Tigers), Joslyn Kamatuka (African Stars), Peter Shalulile (Sundowns, RSA), Bethuel Muzeu Muzeu (Black Leopards, RSA), Elmo Kambindu (Chippa United, RSA), Junior Petrus (Blue Waters), Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates, RSA), Wendell Rudath (Jwaneng, BOT), Edmar Kamatuka (African Stars), Erwin Tjiuja and Eliakim Jadsson (Life Fighters).