The Brave Gladiators are returning to COSAFA Tournament action after missing out last year and are gunning for victory in their opening match against guest nation Uganda on Thursday, 30 September at 12h00 at the Nelson Mandela University, in Port Elizabeth.

Gladiators Interim coach Woody Jacobs is confident in getting an impressive start to the tournament, stating that the team will test it’s strength and eliminate weakness by taking the game to Uganda and fielding up an attacking side.

Jacobs admits that Uganda are an unknown quantity to Namibia, making them unpredictable however he says the team intends on imposing its philosophy on their opponent.

“Uganda might have strengths that we are unaware of, which might lead to our detriment but one thing is certain, we will play our best team; strong up front with a solid backline to rely on. The target is to take it one match at a time, but our ultimate aim is to do well in the tournament” states Jacobs.

The gaffer also reveals that Group C favorites Zambia are no cause for concern as Namibia has a tendency of rising above the expected.

“Zambia might be deemed the favorites and expected to top the group, but my team has the compliance to adapt to any situation, a quality that will definitely see us far into the tournament.”

Speaking on the first eleven, Jacobs says there’s a concrete idea of the lineup which will be disclosed in due course.

“We have a crop of great talent where any player can start the match, but with a specific objective in mind, the lineup is specific.

After facing Uganda tomorrow, Namibia will battle it out with neighboring country Zambia on the 3rd October at 12h30, and clash with Eswatini to wrap up on Group C matches on the 5th October.

The best two teams from each group proceed to the next stage.

Source: Namibia Football Association (NFA)