Brave Gladiators focus on fitness ahead of African Nations Cup qualifiers
In the quest to qualify for the 2018 Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Women Cup of Nations, the Brave Gladiators started with their qualifiers training camp this week with focus mainly on fitness in preparation of their first tie against Zimbabwe on 31 March, at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
According to the NFA website, the Brave Gladiators whose only participation at the continental women football showpiece was in 2014 when they hosted it and exited at the group stage, failed to qualify for the 2016 edition in Cameroon and will now embark upon qualification to Ghana, 17 November to 01 December.
General Manager of Women Football Jacqui Shipanga released a training squad of 29 players on Tuesday and stated that the camp will have intense fitness session to get the ladies in shape.
“The ladies haven’t played competitive football for about five months now since playing in Cosafa Cup in Zimbabwe and our fitness levels will be key during this camp ahead of Zimbabwe ladies visit end of next month”, Shipanga said.
Therefore, NFA Fitness coach Charl Botha, who has worked wonders with the Brave Warriors in their qualification and participation at the 2018 African Nations Championship(CHAN) finals in Morocco, will be in charge from the from Wednesday with head coach Brian Isaacs overall in charge.
The team includes USA-based Annouscka Kordom who plays for Corban Warriors and Zenatha Coleman of Real Zaragoza in Spanish Women Football League as well as Veuetjiua Kotjipati who plies her trade for German side Herforder Sportverein, while the rest of the team consist of local-based players.
The 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers’ first round first leg match between the Gladiators and Zimbabwe will take place on Saturday 31 march , 16h00 at the Sam Nujoma stadium with the second leg to be played on 07 April in Zimbabwe. The winner will advance to the second round where either Tanzania or Zambia awaits and the eventual winner books their tickets for the finals.
The Gladiators: Goalkeepers: Lydia Eixas, Agnes Kauzuu, Melisa Matheus and Fiola Vilete; Defenders: Iina Katuta, Uerikondjera Kasaona, Ester Amukwaya, Stacey Naris, Lorraine Jossop, Lydiana Nanamus, Emma Naris, Anna Shaende, Lovisa Mulunga; Midfielders, Annouscka Kordom, Juliana Skrywer, Millicent Hikuam, Zenatha Coleman, Memory Ngonda, Julia Rutjindo, , Elmarie Fredericks, Asteria Angula and Beverly Uueziua; Strikers: Twelikondjela Amukoto, Vewe Kotjipati, Stella Williams, Faustina Amutenya, Anna-Marie Shikusho, Julia Blou and Iyaloo Rooi.
