Warriors draw, Gladiators lose

There were contrasting fortunes for the national senior teams as the Brave Warriors draw with Zambia and the Brave Gladiators lost at home to Tanzania in their African Women Championship qualifier first leg.

At the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Zambia entertained the Warriors in an international friendly match as the former looks to wrap up their 2012 ACFON preparations, while the Warriors continues to prepare for a busy 2012.

The Warriors gave a good account of themselves against a full strengthened Chipolopolo side, with the likes of Da Costa Angula and Willem Mwedihanga solid at the back, while Ephraim Tjihonge had a good day in goal as well.

Upfront, Jerome Louis and Tangeni Shipahu threatened the Zambian rearguard, as midfielders, Willy Stephanus, Lazarus Kaimbi and Petrus Shitembi, amongst others matched their Zambian counterparts on the battle front.

Namibia’s next match will be against Liberia in Monrovia on February 29 in the qualifiers for the 2013 AFCON finals which will be held in South Africa.

In Windhoek, at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, the Gladiators hosted Tanzania in a Africa Women Championship qualifiers first leg match knowing that it will not be easy against the side who played at the championship before, but nonetheless the host gave their best on the day, albeit not enough for victory.

Gladiator’s captain and defender Queen Manga was clearly out of sorts at the back, but the cool and collected Germany –based Mamie Kasaona, together with a confident Esther Amukwaya, kept the sea guarded.

In midfield, another Germany-based player Tomalina Adams had a great afternoon, as it was her timely and always planned plays that somehow gave the host some glimmer of hope in the encounter.

Shirley Cloete too in midfield had an outstanding game as the holding girl, while Elmarie Fredericks, showed some deft touches, but in most cases the final ball was astray.

Stacey Naris slotted in well at left back and showed her experience at the back, while goalkeeper Susana Eises’ acrobatics ensured the sore remained 0-0 at the break.

In the second half, the Namibia continued to search for that elusive goal as they brought on Iina Katuta for an ineffective Stella Williams, while another Germany-bound player Veweziwa Kotjipati replaced Lorraine Jossop.

Katuta has two glorious chances that she dismally and costly failed to put ways for the host as the visitors started to play with more purpose and upped the tempo of the act.

The Tanzania got their first goal on 65 minutes through fierce free-kick taken with genuine authority by Rashid Asha, from about 30 meters away which flew into the net, while their second came on full time courtesy of a well taken goal by Omary Mwanahamisi.

The Namibians now have it all to do as they resume training on Tuesday for the second leg which will be played in Tanzania on January 28, two goals down.