Brave Warriors head coach Bobby Samaria says Namibia playing their home games in South Africa will not be such a challenge as his players are used to playing in empty stadiums due to the current COVID-19 outbreak.

Speaking during the squad announcement for the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) 2022 World Cup Qualifiers scheduled for September, Samaria said the bulk of his squad is based in South Africa (SA), making it their home.

“It will not have a major impact on the team. We have not played in front of fans since March 2020, so we are kind of used to it,” he explained.

His views were echoed by team manager Tim Isaacs who said they are used to conditions in South Africa because they always participate in the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) events in SA.

Meanwhile, Samaria said they had considered playing a practice match with their South African counterparts, but the logistics may be difficult for them because SA will be based in Rustenburg while they are in Johannesburg.

On his continued position as caretaker coach, Samaria acknowledged that the current situation is not conducive for the national team but his job is to prepare the team.

“When you are called to war, you do not hesitate to go and fight for your country and to me, it’s no different. There is no sense of entitlement. If people knock on your door and believe that you are able to add value, so be it,” Samaria said.

He also addressed the issue of blending in younger players into the senior team saying most of the under-20 players are currently struggling for positions in their local club.

“We have Prins Tjiueza who was outstanding in Mauritania, he is in the team. The average age of this team is between 28 or 29 years and the oldest players are 32, and they are goalkeepers. Besides, since it’s a national team, you are not judged at developing the team, but on results,” he explained.

The Brave Warriors will face Congo-Brazzaville on 02 September at Orlando Stadium in SA before facing Togo in Lomé on 05 September.

Below is the provisional team:

Goalkeepers

Virgil Vries, Ndisiro Kamaijanda, Loydt Kazapua and Edward Maova.

Defenders

Kennedy Amutenya, Ivan Kamberipa, Riaan Hanamub, Tiberius Lombard, Ananias Gebhardt, Larry Horaeb, Denzil Haoseb, Approcious Petrus, Charles Hambira and Immanuel Heita.

Midfielders

Dynamo Fredericks, Deon Hotto, Wendell Rudath, Alfeus Handura, Absalom Iimbondi, Wesley Katjiteo, Willy Stephanus, Marcel Papama, Manfred Starke, Prins Tjiueza and Wangu Gome.

Forwards

Elmo Kambindu, Isaskar Gurirab, Peter Shalulile, Benson Shilongo, Joslin Kamatuka, Monis Omseb and Junias Theophilus.

Source: Namibia Press Agency