Brave Warriors beef up strike force

Tura Magic striker Itamunua Keimuine will reinforce the Brave Warrior’s strike force as they finalize their preparations for the 2015 COSAFA Cup in the North-West Province of South Africa.

Itamunua Keimuine was earlier this week flown into Johannesburg to join the rest of the team for the training camp at the Pretoria High Performance Centre and is expected to add value to the attacking department of the Brave Warriors.
Keimuine replaces veteran’s striker Henrico Botes who was not released by his South African club Bidvest Wits, stating that the tournament was not on a FIFA dates and that they had no obligation to release him.
Nine more players will join the Brave Warriors on Friday 15 May in Johannesburg before the team departs for Moruleng, North West Province, for their first game against the Seychelles on Saturday at 15h00.
Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Charles Uirab and defender Brain Gurirab will make the trip and so will Tigers defender Benjamin Nenkavu. The Black Africa trio of Dynamo Fredericks, Willy Stephanus and Heinrich Isaacks were also called up. Defence will comprise of Tura Magic defensive pair, Tiberius Lombard and Charles Hambira aa well as African Stars defender Ferdinand Karongee.
Commenting on Wits’ refusal to release Botes, Ricardo Mannetti voiced his disappointment and said, “They are saying it’s not a FIFA date and so they are not going to release him. But they have nothing to play for so I don’t understand. I will now have to call up a replacement on Tuesday. I can’t fault the player but we have lost a quality player and an in-form striker. It’s not easy to replace him but it opens a door for another player. Otherwise the team is in good mood and looking forward to the opening game against the Seychelles.”
Another player missing the first game will be Botswana-based Benson Shilongo. “He will only be released after our first game since their last league game is on 17 May and we respect that and will wait for him” said Mannetti.
Benson Shilongo is expected to join the team after his last Botswana Premier league game on Saturday afternoon. The Gaborone United player recently led his side to the Top 8 victory and tops cord with five goals. United, fourth on the table, will play their Saturday final league game against Township Rollers.
The Brave Warriors will square off against Seychelles on Moruleng this Saturday, vying to bring the Cosafa Cup with them this time round.