Gaborone:Namibia Under-23 head coach John Sikerete has urged his players to build on their recent experience following a significant defeat against Angola. The Young Warriors were eliminated from the 2028 Olympic qualifiers after a 5-0 loss in Gaborone, Botswana, resulting in a 6-1 aggregate score.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Sikerete emphasized that the defeat should be viewed as a learning opportunity for the young team as they continue to develop their skills on the international stage. He noted that the replacement of an already unfit goalkeeper affected their performance. Despite the setback, Sikerete encouraged his players to learn from the experience and use it as a stepping stone in their careers.

The coach acknowledged that Namibia's tactical strategy left them exposed against Angola's more robust and experienced team. He highlighted the importance of having experienced players to counter such opposition, suggesting that their open style of play may not have been suitable against Angola's physicality and skill.

Despite the disappointing result, Sikerete identified some positive moments during the match and noted that the team's principles of play were evident. However, he cited defensive discipline as a significant area for improvement. He also spoke about the psychological impact of conceding goals and encouraged his players to transform their disappointment into motivation for future matches.

Sikerete reiterated the importance of using the defeat as a part of their learning curve and urged the team to address their weaknesses, develop resilience, and bounce back stronger. "Football is not only about winning, but also about how a team responds when things go wrong," he concluded.