Banking on Tura Magic Ladies' experience

...we must play with a clear identity - Jacobs

When the Brave Gladiators take on Uganda in their opening match at the 2021 Cosafa Women's Championship, the team will have something extra about them, interim coach Nicholas 'Woody' Jacobs has vowed. Namibia have been quietly preparing to surprise their opponents when they compete in this year's 2021 Cosafa Women's Championship, which got underway today in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.

With two practice sessions conducted by Jacobs and his technical team, the Brave Gladiators, are expected to make up for lost time, as they had missed out on the competition last year.

“I would like for us to play with a clear identity and philosophy considering our strengths as a footballing nation,” Jacobs told The PlayMaker in a recent interview.

As such, the former Brave Warriors assistant coach has plotted a strategy for every one of his team's opponents, which are Uganda, Zambia and Eswatini.

The Cosafa website describes Namibia's group as “another fascinating pool that will be so hard to call with the traditional strength of Olympic finalists Zambia… a powerful Uganda side and an Eswatini team that has improved in recent years.”

This means the Brave Gladiators are in for a tough time and planning for each match is key.

Although admitting that he knows little about Uganda, Jacobs agrees.

“We will want to approach matches taking into consideration the opponents' strengths and weaknesses. So, planning around matches will be key,” he told The PlayMaker.

Experience

While the Brave Gladiators were not able to secure quality friendly matches ahead of this tournament, they will be banking on the experience picked up by the bulk of players who donned the Tura Magic colours in CAF Women's Champions League Cosafa qualifiers last month.

“Well to be honest, I think the participation of Tura Magic in the Champions League will be beneficial to the Brave Gladiators because of the game time at a very high level. Tura Magic did very well considering that they had very little playing and preparation time,” Jacobs reflected.

“Valuable lessons were learned and going forward women's football in general will develop even further, not forgetting the interest it will create in women and girls that will want to join the game. “There is now something at club level to look forward to,” he added.

As a result, Namibia will be leaning heavily on the Tura Magic Ladies.

“We will definitely lean towards the players that played for Tura Magic because their experience and game time will be helping us to overcome the lack of preparation we had,” Jacobs said.

Technical information

Jacobs' technical team consists of Uerikondjera ‘Mamie' Kasaona as his assistant coach, Heribert Kapeng (goalkeeper coach), Virginia Kujandeka (fitness coach), Justine Amupolo (kit manager) and Natasha Cloete (team manager).

Zambia came close to lifting the trophy in 2019 but lost to South African in the final, though there will be real belief that they can claim a first regional title this time round.

Uganda have always been a strong contender at their regional CECAFA Women's Championship and having claimed the Cosafa Under-17 title a few years back, will be hoping to make a big impression here.

Only the top team in each pool and the best-placed runner-up advance to the semi-finals.-Additional reporting Cosafa.com -Jacobs

GROUP C matches

Thursday, 30 September, 2021 12:00 Namibia vs Uganda 15:30 Zambia vs Eswatini

Sunday, 3 October 2021 12:00 Eswatini vs Uganda 15:30 Zambia vs Namibia

Tuesday, 5 October 2021 15:30 Zambia vs Uganda 15:30 Namibia vs Eswatini

The foundation

These are some of the players that represented Tura Magic in the CAF Women's Champions League Cosafa qualifiers and who are likely to play a key role in the Brave Gladiators Cosafa Cup excursion:

“Well to be honest, I think the participation of Tura Magic in the Champions League will be beneficial to the Brave Gladiators because of the game time at a very high level. Tura Magic did very well considering that they had very little playing and preparation time.”

Thomalina Adams: This veteran, who has played at several regional tournaments as well as the 2014 African Women's Championships, will bring her invaluable experience.

Twelikondjela Amukoto: Hard tackling, competitive and disciplined; this defender continues to grow in leaps and bounds.

Milicent Hikuam: An exciting talent just waiting for the perfect platform to showcase her undoubted talent.

Memory Ngonda: The versatility of this ball player makes her an asset in the team, both for her ability to lead by example and natural goalscoring prowess.

Asteria Angula: This hard-running striker never wastes goalscoring chances, while also making sure she works the opposing defenders.

Mellissa Mathews: The towering goalkeeper is proving to be quite the safe pair of hands as she continues her development as a top class netminder.

Lydiana Nanamus: The more the leaders in a team the better, and this player, who is also the vice-captain of Tura Magic, is the perfect example of that.

Emma Naris: The player expected to be captain of the Brave Gladiators. Her robust style will give her teammates the courage to take on all rivals.

Tura Magic Ladies result at the CAF Women's Champions League Cosafa qualifiers

Tura Magic 0-3 Black Rhino Queens Green Buffaloes 1-0 Tura Magic

*The goalkeeper has played for two teams with the name Arrows, having turned out for Eleven Arrows (Namibia) and Golden Arrows (South Africa).

*He has played for two of South Africa's original Soweto teams in Kaizer Chiefs and Swallows. He has also played for Orlando Pirates, but the Namibian version. *The goalkeeper has yet to play in a major continental national team competition after missing out on a place for Namibia's 2019 African Cup of Nations participation.

*Nicknamed ‘Keetmanshoop's Finest', he is one of only a handful of players from the town to have played football outside of Namibia's borders.