The Brave Gladiators kick-start their 2024 Cosafa Women’s Championship against hosts South Africa on the second match of the opening day of the competition.
Eswatini and debutants Seychelles start the tournament in Gqeberha on 22 October at 14h00, before African champions South Africa take on Namibia in a crunch Group A derby in front of what is likely to be a fervent home crowd at 17h00.
The hosts, who are seven-time Cosafa winners, will field their second-string side at the tournament with their regulars taking on Denmark on 25 October and European Champions England on 29 October in international friendlies.
Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane believes the stand-in crew will still be a force to reckon with.
“I have seen the Cosafa squad for Banyana Banyana and I think the players stand a chance of showcasing their best at this year’s edition. We’ve got players playing in the Hollywoodbets Super League coming in to showcase their talent,” Jane told SABC Sport on Wednesday.
The South African Football Association appointed University of Pretoria coach Maud Khumalo to lead the team in the absence of Desiree Ellis.
“It’s quite a young squad which is good for our future,” Jane said.
“Our future starts now and these players are what we will look to in the near future to represent Banyana Banyana at international competitions.
“Looking at South Africa’s group, I think we stand a good chance of advancing to the semi-finals but you can’t take it for granted or take it lightly.
“Any team is out here to win the tournament, so it will be difficult even though they stand a good chance of advancing.”
Brave Gladiators head coach Woody Jacobs made no secret of the team’s ambition following the draw earlier this week.
“We are pitted against South Africa, Eswatini and Seychelles. The grudge match, the big one, is against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana. I mean they are a powerhouse of African women and women football in particular,” Jacobs said.
“We just need to win and to emerge from the group and that’s what we’re aiming to do. So, the objective is solely to get the team in the best possible shape, to get the best players to come and represent Namibia,” he said.
Meanwhile, defending champions Malawi will start their bid to retain the title when they play Botswana in a crucial Group B game on 23 October at 17h00.
Before that, Madagascar take on Mauritius in a battle of the Indian Ocean Islands at 14h00.
The three-team Groups C and D get underway on 24 October. The 2022 champions, Zambia, take on Angola in Group C at 12h00, while Mozambique meet Zimbabwe at 15h00, two eye-catching fixtures.
The group stage continues until 29 October, with the top teams in each pool advancing to the semi-finals.
The last four action will be on 31 October, when the winner of Group B takes on the top side in Group C (14h00), and the top team in Group A meets the winner of Group D (17h00).
The final will be played on 2 November at 15h00, when the champions for 2024 will be crowned queens of the region. There will be no bronze medal match. – Adapted from Cosafa.com
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
