While the Flames have eased a gear after last week’s 1-0 win in Namibia, the Brave Warriors are pressing ahead with preparations for the remaining 2014 World Cup African qualifiers.
A 20-member home-based Brave Warriors squad regrouped on Sunday for a four-day annual Namibian Newspaper Cup in Otjiwarongo against the Competition’s Shadow Team.
The Brave Warriors team, to be coached by Namibia Football Association’s technical director Klaus Stark, met on Saturday March 30 at the Namibia Football Association Soccer House, reports Namibia FA website.
Brave Warriors assistant coach and national Under-20 coach Ricardo Mannetti led a team of scouts for youth players at the four-day tournament.
“There are eight newcomers, who have not been part of the Warriors team for the past year or so and they are the six African Stars players in goalkeeper Maximilian Mbaeva, defenders Chris Katjiukua, Pat Uanivi and Dennis Ngueza, and midfielders Johannes Seibeb and Ramblers striker Heinrich Kazeurua and Mighty Gunners striker Harold Ochurub,” reads the website.
The Warriors’ caretaker coach Bernard Kaanjuka resigned last week after his troops went down 1-0 to the Flames. Gabadinho Mhango scored the lone goal of the match at the Independence Stadium.
In Malawi, Flames interim coach Eddington Ng’onamo is hoping that his proposal for strength-building matches in Zimbabwe and Zambia will materialise.
The Flames welcome Kenya then Namibia in the first two weeks of June before travelling to Nigeria for the decisive Group F qualifier.
Kenya anchor the four-member group on two points, Namibia are third on four points while Malawi and the African champions Nigeria have five points apiece.
The group’s top team will advance to the final qualifying round.
