Clock ticking for Young Warriors

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COSAFA Cup preparation in limbo as delayed training camp sparks worries over competitiveness
Phillipus Josef
  • 1 Week Ago 03 September 2024
With just three weeks until the under-20 COSAFA Cup kicks off in Mozambique, the Namibian youth national team “Young Warriors” have yet to begin their training camp.

The team last gathered in July, when over 50 players were called up for a week-long camp to vie for one of the 40 spots in the squad.

However, the final selection of players, who were supposed to report for camp weeks ago, remains pending.

As the clock ticks down, concerns are mounting over the limited time left for preparation.

A source close to the association, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of victimization, revealed that the team will only be given about two weeks to prepare.

"Frankly, I do not understand how the association expects the boys to be ready in such a short time.

The team still needs to be trimmed down to a final squad of 20 players. This process usually takes around four weeks, and you need another 2-3 weeks with the final team to work on technical and tactical aspects," the source explained.

The source further emphasized that the COSAFA Cup is a crucial platform for exposure, as it offers players a chance to secure spots in the under-20 African Youth Championships.

The Young Warriors made history in 2021 by becoming the first Namibian youth side to compete in the African Cup of Nations, held in Mauritania.

In recent years, the tournament has been a springboard for local talent, with players like Rewaldo Prins, Prins Tjueze, Steven Damaseb, Edmar Kamatuka, Tjipee Karuuombe, Ngero Katua, and Tuli-Ngenovali Nashixwa earning senior national team call-ups or contracts abroad.

The team will be led by James Britz, who previously guided them to a second-place finish in the 2020 COSAFA Cup.

When approached for comment, the association claimed to be unaware of the situation, stating that the responsibility for scheduling the training camp typically lies with the head coach.

Meanwhile, neighboring South Africa and Lesotho began their training camps on 13 August and have already played several friendlies, including a match against each other.

Record title-holders Zambia, who won their 12th regional trophy with a 1-0 victory over Mozambique in the final, will be among the teams to watch at the competition.