Namibia’s Brave Warriors have been forced to make changes to their squad ahead of their upcoming assignment after injuries and a travel-document issue ruled several players out.
Mumbango will miss the trip because of a problem with his travel documentation, while David Ndeunyema is unavailable after suffering an injury while playing for MWOS FC in Zimbabwe.
The squad has also lost South Africa-based players Prins Tjiueza and Tuli Nashixua, both of whom have been ruled out because of injuries.
The setbacks have complicated Head Coach Collin Benjamin’s preparations as he seeks to put together the strongest squad possible. Despite the absences, however, Benjamin says he remains confident in the players available to him and believes the Brave Warriors retain enough quality and depth to meet the challenge ahead.
“We wanted to bring together the best players available in the country and those playing abroad. Unfortunately, we have had a few setbacks with injuries and travel documents, but we have a good squad and every player here deserves to be here. We have quality across the team, and we are confident in the players we have,” said Benjamin.
Benjamin also sent his best wishes to those who have been ruled out through injury and expressed hope that they will be able to return in November.
“We wish all the injured players a speedy recovery, and hopefully we can see them again in November,” he added.
The Brave Warriors are preparing for an assignment that will include a meeting with Congo, a side Benjamin expects to provide a physical test.
The Namibia coach acknowledged the nature of the challenge but said his team was ready for what awaits them.
“Congo is a physical team, but we have soldiers who are ready to go to war. We know what we have to do, and we are excited for the challenge,” said Benjamin.
The Namibian squad arrived in Gaborone on Sunday, 20 September, as preparations for the upcoming assignment moved into their next phase.
Their first training session is scheduled for Monday, 21 September, giving Benjamin and his players the opportunity to begin preparations together after the disruption to the original squad.
The coach will now have to work with the available group following the withdrawals of Mumbango, Ndeunyema, Tjiueza and Nashixua.
Mumbango’s absence is unrelated to an injury, with the player unable to make the trip because of an issue involving his travel documents. Ndeunyema, meanwhile, suffered his setback while representing MWOS FC in Zimbabwe.
Tjiueza and Nashixua, who are both based in South Africa, have also been left out after picking up injuries.
The number of absences represents a challenge for Benjamin as the Brave Warriors prepare for their next matches, but the coach has maintained that the players who remain in the squad are capable of competing.
His message to the squad has been one of confidence despite the difficulties encountered during preparations.
Benjamin had hoped to bring together players from both Namibia and those based abroad, but injuries and the documentation problem have prevented several members of the initial group from joining the trip.
With the team now in Gaborone, attention will turn to training and preparation for the upcoming assignment.
The first session on Monday will be an important opportunity for the available players to work under Benjamin and begin preparations for the physical challenge he expects from Congo.
While four players have been ruled out, the coach believes the squad still possesses sufficient quality across the team.
The Brave Warriors will therefore continue preparations with a reshaped squad, with Benjamin relying on those available as he attempts to navigate the latest setbacks.
The coach has also expressed his hope that the injured players can recover in time to return to the national team in November.
For now, the focus is on the players in Gaborone and the task ahead, with Benjamin insisting that his squad is ready for the challenge despite the disruption to his original plans.
