BRAVE Warriors interim coach Brian Isaacs has urged the Namibia Football Association not to let the talent at The Namibian Newspaper Cup go to waste.
Isaacs said yesterday that the NFA should “capture and nurture” the standout players so as to avoid the trend of past events that forgot about the regions’ talents. According to the coach, the Newspaper Cup is the perfect platform for the selectors to rope in players who can add value to the various national teams. He said it is necessary that the football association keep the cream of the crop together once the tournament concludes. The selected u/20 players who traditionally form part of the Shadow Team would then be the primary source of players for the national sides. “These players should stay together for the next three years and be moulded into players capable of making the transition to the senior team,” said Isaacs, who will keenly watch the tournament at Gobabis this weekend.
He said Namibian football is fortunate to have a youth competition of this magnitude. “It’s a wonderful event for Namibian football,” said Isaacs. “A lot of hidden talent has been discovered in the Newspaper Cup. It gives us the platform to assess players we would not normally be able to see at national trials. “The regional coaches must just make sure they cover all the areas so that we can have access to this talent.”
In addition, the Brave Warriors’ technical team will use the tournament to assess the level of football in the regions. “We will be able to see what is the standard of football in these areas,” he said. “This will help us with our recommendations to the NFA about where most work still needs to be done in order to have a more or less balanced football system in the country.”
Isaacs, who expects quality football from the players on show, also hailed the tournament’s entertainment value. “This cup has been exciting and competitive for me,” he said. “The support from the fans has excellent over the years.” sheefeni@namibian.com.na
Newspaper Cup squads - 19.04.2011
THE Namibian Newspaper Cup is less than three days away and the participating regions have assembled their finals squads to compete for top honours.
The development tournament, which kicks-off on April 21 in Gobabis and concludes on April 25, is limited to players born in 1992 and younger only.
Below are the final squads for four of the regions:
Oshikoto
Nandago Martin, An-Aobeb Pieter, Cornelius Cornelius, Johannes David, Gaeseb Olaff, Tsumeb Theofelus, Arno Norich, Gideon Nathan, Araeb Gorhard, Kambanda Edmund, Simon Imbondi, Dominicus Asser, Ivan Hoebeb, Engombe Onesmus, Shipanga Zenas, Pinehas Sakaria, Kamu Katjimune, Katau Paulus, Simon Nawa, Erick Tsam, Goareb Richard, John Ahsipala.
Hardap
Paul Gamatham, Hermanus Katingu, Joseph Isaacks, Terence Boois, Sylvester Goeieman, Dantago Swartbooi, Gebhard Hummel, Steward Goagoseb, Silvanus Swartz, Hendrick Bock, Romeo Kisting, Neville Brinkman, Clifford Kharugub, Abraham Frey, Uerivangavi Tjapaka, Ricelvin Isaaks, Paul Richter, Trevor van der Westhuizen, Donovan Swartz, Romario Boois, Jerome Markus, Fhyzel Visser, Lincoln Lambert.
Khomas
David Mika, Hermanus Katingu, Phostanch Kaakanea, Tuhafeni M’lukeni, Kaunahama Kanjaa, Terdius Uiseb, Lee-roy Adams, Lorenzo Louis, Edwin Kamaundju, Uendjisuvera Kandjou, Dynamo Fredricks, David Fredricks, Peter Steven, Denver Meyer, Batista Gomes, Dvid Kamati, Saul Tembo, Steven Gariseb, Obery Amseb, Charlton Kasera, Robert Xamseb, Immanuel Heita.
Otjozondjupa
Ignatius Boois, Alfons Skrywer, Dawid Evangelista, Richard Garisseb, Nelson Mandandi, Lesley Iyambo, Edward Majova, Donald Xam-Goaseb, Dico Kandundu, Vernui Ngozu, Theofelus Uaeta, Clemence Uwiteb, Patience Luipert, Winnie Shangombe, Hafeni Paulus, Himumuine Venjekerera, Ignatius Horaseb, Setrick Dantu, Albert McPaul, Immanuel Shilongo, Romario Mans, Richard Tjitjavi.