A young Brave Warriors team and Lesotho played to a goalless draw in an international friendly at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium on Monday night.
There was not much to enthuse about in a match that lacked sparkle and excitement while the poor turnout of about 200 people also detracted from the occasion.
Furthermore, the floodlights on the south side of the field were not working, with the result that visibility was not very good.
It was the new caretaker coach Bernard Kaanjuka’s first match in charge of the Namibia and he used the occasion to bring in a number of young players who had come through the U20 and U23 ranks.
There was not much to enthuse about in a match that lacked sparkle and excitement while the poor turnout of about 200 people also detracted from the occasion.
Furthermore, the floodlights on the south side of the field were not working, with the result that visibility was not very good.
It was the new caretaker coach Bernard Kaanjuka’s first match in charge of the Namibia and he used the occasion to bring in a number of young players who had come through the U20 and U23 ranks.
These included wing backs Steven Sabatha and Ananias Gebhard and midfielders Willy Stephanus, Larry Horaeb and Petrus Shitembi. The only experienced players in the squad, in fact, were captain Heini Isaacks and goalkeeper Arnold Subeb who was recalled to the national side for the first time in seven years.
Namibia were all over Lesotho in the opening quarter as especially winger Willy Stephanus created some chances with his speedy dribbles. He had two shots that went narrowly wide while Heini Isaacks also came close with some early efforts.
Larry Horaeb supplied some good crosses from the wing but Sidney Urikhob headed straight at Lesotho’s keeper, while another cross just missed Urikhob and Ananias Gebhardt.
Namibia’s best chance came on 35m when Stephanus sent through a defence splitting pass to Sidney Urikhob. From an acute angle, Urikhob managed to beat Lesotho’s outrushing keeper Mohau Kuenane, but the ball rolled inches past the far post.
Lesotho came more in the game in the second half and nearly scored on 55m when a cracking shot by Ralekoti Mokhahlane crashed off the goalpost.
Bryan Bantam and Ronald Ketjijere came on for Namibia in the second half and especially Bantam soon made his presence felt. He interacted well with Willy Stephanus and Heini Isaacks and some quick passes between the three on 65m set Petrus Shitembi clear but his shot bounced off the goalpost.
Alfeus Handura, who came on for Shitembi also provided some good crosses and from one, Sydney Urikhob hit the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed because the ball had gone out of play before.
The final quarter was a bit aimless as neither side created much opportunities, although Kuenane did well to tip a 30m cracker by Bantam over for a corner.
Namibia were all over Lesotho in the opening quarter as especially winger Willy Stephanus created some chances with his speedy dribbles. He had two shots that went narrowly wide while Heini Isaacks also came close with some early efforts.
Larry Horaeb supplied some good crosses from the wing but Sidney Urikhob headed straight at Lesotho’s keeper, while another cross just missed Urikhob and Ananias Gebhardt.
Namibia’s best chance came on 35m when Stephanus sent through a defence splitting pass to Sidney Urikhob. From an acute angle, Urikhob managed to beat Lesotho’s outrushing keeper Mohau Kuenane, but the ball rolled inches past the far post.
Lesotho came more in the game in the second half and nearly scored on 55m when a cracking shot by Ralekoti Mokhahlane crashed off the goalpost.
Bryan Bantam and Ronald Ketjijere came on for Namibia in the second half and especially Bantam soon made his presence felt. He interacted well with Willy Stephanus and Heini Isaacks and some quick passes between the three on 65m set Petrus Shitembi clear but his shot bounced off the goalpost.
Alfeus Handura, who came on for Shitembi also provided some good crosses and from one, Sydney Urikhob hit the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed because the ball had gone out of play before.
The final quarter was a bit aimless as neither side created much opportunities, although Kuenane did well to tip a 30m cracker by Bantam over for a corner.
NamibiaSport
RSS Feed