Brave Warriors Beat Kenya
The Brave Warriors got off to an impressive start in their 2010 FIFA World Cup and CAF Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers with a 2-1 defeat of Kenya on Saturday.
The national senior soccer team went into the match well aware that nothing less than a win will be acceptable by the nation and started the game well with man of the match Wilko Risser promising in attack for the Brave Warriors.
The first half was evenly contested with Dennis Oliech for Kenya dangerous upfront but the ‘Berlin wall’ of captain Michael Pienaar and the resurgent Richard Gariseb kept him at bay.
Lazarus Kaimbi had a fine start on the right side of midfield, with Jeremiah Baisako left-side and the midfield pair of the reliable Jamunovandu Ngatjizeko and maestro Quinton Jacobs held its own against the likes of Harambee Stars captain, Robert Mumba and Titus Mulama in the engine room.
Costa Khaiseb complimented the buoyant Risser in the firing line and it was just 13 minutes into the match when the Germany-based Risser put Namibia ahead with a well driven volley from inside the box, past hapless Arnold Otieno in goal.
It was game on with Kenya chasing the game and the Warriors keeping possession in search of a second killer-punch.
Kenya’s combinations between Oliech and Mumba were futile as Gariseb vowed to police the bulky and speedy French side AJ Auxerre striker, Oliech.
Just before the break, Oliech tested Athiel Mbaha with a powerful strike that the keeper parried for a corner. Kevin Opondo delivered another corner-kick into the box and defender Lloyd Kinguru attempted overhead kick by Hartman Toromba, but Makacha was the first to react with a header, to draw the score level 1-1- at halftime.
In a desperate move in hunt of all the three points, Schans hauled off Jomo Cosmos midfielder Kaimbi for Ramblers’ striker Pineas Jacobs, Khaiseb dropping to midfield, allowing the substitute to partner the towering Risser upfront.
Gariseb continued his battle with Oliech, and full-backs Toromba and Jeremiah Baisako started to consolidate attack for the home team and Risser intensified his aerial ability as he looked to get his second goal for the Brave Warriors.
, Serbia-based Rudolph Bester replaced Civics midfielder Brendell on the right-side of the four-men midfield, injecting the Brave Warriors with more pace and skill in their arsenal.
Civics midfielder Tuyeni Tugela came in for the ineffective Quinton Jacobs in midfield as time continues to the edge closer for the final whistle.
Thousands of supporters were held their breathes to the end, before Risser, from the halfway line played a accurate ball into the path of the attacking Khaiseb who confidently struck it first-time past the keeper onto the cross-bar before the ball found the back of the net for a deserved celebrations among the team and supporters on 90th minute.
The Brave Warriors held onto their priceless lead winning 2-1 and Schans’ mandate of taking the team through to the 2010 football showpieces is off to a good start!
The team leaves for Zimbabwe on Thursday to take revenge against on Saturday in another qualifier match.
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