Brave Gladiators coach Woody Jacobs says his charges are ready for their all-important match against Zambia scheduled for Wednesday at the Nkoloma Stadium.
Speaking at a press conference in Lusaka, Zambia on Tuesday alongside team captain Eddelsisingh Emma Naris, Jacobs said the game is even bigger for Namibia because the team is on the brink of history.
“We have never qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) apart from the time when we hosted it. We will be facing a formidable opponent. Who can forget in 2012 when they (men’s team) lifted the AFCON and their (women’s) recent showing at the Tokyo Olympics games,” he said.
Jacobs said even though Namibia started preparations late, they will battle until the end.
He added that his team knows what stands between them and qualifying for this tournament, but lamented the failure to secure a high profile friendly match for the team.
“We did not have the luxury or ability to play a friendly match like Zambia who played Banyana Banyana on Saturday, but we did get some game time against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday,” he said.
The coach warned that Namibia would not lie down for Shepolopolo (Zambia) to roll over, adding that his “girls must be ready even if they are not ready”.
Jacobs acknowledged that Namibia are the underdogs for this match, adding that for them to qualify for this tournament they need to beat the stronger teams.
His views were echoed by captain Naris who said as players they want to make history and become legends for being the first Namibian ladies’ team to qualify for a major tournament.
The two teams will be meeting in the final qualification round of the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations of the Women’s tournament on a home and away basis.
The first match takes place in Lusaka, Zambia on 16 February before the two teams clash on 23 February in Dobsonville, Johannesburg.
The winner of the two matches will qualify for the WAFCON scheduled for Morocco between 02 and 23 July.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency