New Brave Warriors coach Tom Saintfiet was today introduced to the media with the announcement of the 26-man squad that prepares for the upcoming COSAFA Cup.
At a press briefing this morning at the Soccer House, NFA’s Public Relation officer Beau Kauta and Secretary General Barry Rukoro unveiled the new coach to the nation, as he takes over from Arie Schans for the remainder of the year.
Welcoming the coach, Rukoro informed Saintfiet that results will be indispensable, “you are our guest and you are in a friendly country, but if results are forthcoming then you will become a member of this great nation”.
Saintfiet who arrived in the country on Friday expressed his appreciation and position on the Brave Warriors, “I’m proud and happy to be the coach of the national team of this country and so far my impression has been positive and the FA has been professional indeed”.
The Belgian who at one point in his illustrious career worked in Ivory Coast revealed that he will keep the co-assistants Ronnie Kanalelo and NPL league champions Orlando Pirates’ coach Brian Isaacs on board.
“These gentlemen have vast knowledge of the local game and this can only help me greatly with execution of my short-term goals with this team” he said.
He further stated that he’s primary focus will be on the last two qualifiers for the 2010 Soccer showpiece events in Angola and South Africa, “We go to COSAFA to get results but I will focus mainly on the last two 2010 Qualifiers games”.
The technical team have called upon a hopeful squad of 26 players into a training camp that starts today at Six O’clock (18h00) at the Khomasdal stadium. The squad will then be trimmed to 20 players only as per COSAFA regulations that will travel to South Africa for the 2008 COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup to be played in the Mpumalanga Province, starting on Saturday.
The coach added that all Namibian Passport holding players are equally eligible to play for the Brave Warriors irrespective, hence the inclusion of George Hummel, raising eyebrows among the media at the briefing, who last year reported that Hummel have resigned from the National team.
Kauta thus reiterated his plea to the media of balanced reporting as they NFA is still to receive any resignation letter from the veteran defender.
The team depart for South Africa on Thursday and is pitted in Group B and starts their assault on Sunday 20 July, against newcomers Comoros Island, takes on Lesotho on Tuesday, 22 July, before facing Malawi on Thursday, 24 July.
The Warriors faces a prospect of taking on South Africa in the quarterfinals on Saturday, 26 July if they top their Group.
Here is the list of 26 players for the Training camp:
Goalkeepers
1. Athiel Mbaha
2. Abisai Shiningayamwe
3. Esau Tjiuoro
Defenders
4. Michael Pienaar
5. George Hummel
6. Steven Goaxab
7. Ivan Namaseb
8. Gottlieb Nakuta
9. Maleagi Ngarizemo
10. Jeremias Baisako
11. Dennis Ngueza
Midfielders
12. Brian Brendell
13. Ninja Karongee
14. Jamunovandu Ngatjizeko
15. Quinton Jacobs
16. Victor Helu
17. Oliver Risser
18. Rudi Louw
19. Freedom Puriza
20. Paulus Shipanga
Strikers
21. Edward Damaseb
22. Muna Katupose
23. Pineas Jacob
24. Costa Khaiseb
25. Lazarus Kaimbi
26. Jerome Louise
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