Huge win for Namibia against Serbia

FOOTBALL: National men’s under 17 looking to cause an upset against Morocco
Phillipus Josef
  • 7 Months Ago 22 May 2024
Pauhl 'Shakes' Mallembu, head coach of Namibia's National Men’s Under-17 (U17) football team, has emphasized the experience that competing in the International Schools Sport Federation (ISF) Football World Cup provides for his players ahead of future competitions like the Cosafa Cup later this year.



The Namibia School Sports Union (NSSU) has sent the U17 team to Dalian, China, for the championship, which runs from 16 - 27 May.



Since the tournament began last Thursday, the Namibian Team has played two matches, experiencing both defeat and victory. Their opening game against the host nation, China, ended in a 0-2 loss.



Despite the defeat, Coach Mallembu described the match as a valuable learning experience for the team. “We conceded two clear goals because of individual errors and a lack of concentration. Although we recovered well in the second half, it was too late to turn the game around.



Despite this, the boys gave it their best effort.” he stated.



The team's second match, held on Monday against Serbia, showcased significant improvement. Namibia secured a 1-0 win against a formidable opponent, Serbia even though they went into the game as underdogs. "We managed to win against Serbia 1-0.



It was a tough match against one of the best European giants. The boys played well, and they deserved the win,” Mallembu noted. He expressed hope that this victory would boost the team's morale for their remaining matches, including the upcoming fixture against Morocco.



However, Mallembu also revealed that two players sustained serious injuries and would miss the next game. He remains optimistic about their recovery, highlighting the resilience and determination of his squad.



The team is aiming to cause an upset in their upcoming match against Morocco, who are coming off a comfortable 11-0 victory over Bangladesh.