Warriors' preliminary squad for CHAN qualifiers announced
Football
Namibia's appointed co-coaches for the upcoming Championship of African Nations (CHAN) qualifiers, John Sikerete of Eeshoke Chula Chula and Katti Nambandi of Mighty Gunners, have unveiled their preliminary 36-player squad to begin preparations. The Brave Warriors will face Lesotho in a two-legged tie as they aim to secure a place in the CHAN tournament scheduled for February 2025.
The squad, drawn from top-performing players in various domestic leagues, assembled at the NFA Technical Centre yesterday to commence their training camp.
The return of in-form veteran Willy Stephanus, the premier league's top goal-scorer in the past two seasons, has been one of the talking points since the squad announcement.
This selection underscores the depth of Namibian football talent and the continued focus on developing players within the local leagues, which is the core of the CHAN competition.
Namibia will travel to Lesotho for the first leg of the preliminary round this coming weekend, with the return fixture set for the weekend of 1-3 November.
The winner of this tie will face Angola in the next round, with a coveted spot in the CHAN finals awaiting the victorious team. The finals will be co-hosted by three bordering nations – Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda – from February 1-28, 2025.
Unlike the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), CHAN exclusively features players who compete in their domestic leagues, making it a crucial platform for locally-based talent to shine on the continental stage.
The full list of players called up for the preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers (4):
Kamaijanda Ndisiro (African Stars)
John Muronga (Eeshoke Chula Chula)
Donald Boois (FC Ongos)
Tomwell Damaseb (Mighty Gunners)
Defenders (10):
Charles Hambira (African Stars)
Ngero Katua (African Stars)
Tuli Nashixwa (Tigers)
Tusha Ikeinge (Khomas Nampol)
Sergio Damaseb (Mighty Gunners)
Gerson Paulus (Julinho Sporting)
David Aingwafa (Eeshoke Chula Chula)
Petrus Kamati (Namibia Correctional Service)
Kennedy Eib (Eeshoke Chula Chula)
Dominikus Narib (Okahandja United)
Midfielders (14):
Lawrence Doeseb (Eeshoke Chula Chula)
Godwin Eiseb (African Stars)
Mbakondja Tjihikika (African Stars)
Ole Somseb (Tigers)
Dwayne Kinda (Tigers)
Wangu Gome (FC Ongos)
Simon Elago (FC Ongos)
Sem Ndahangwapo (Blue Waters)
Pollen Rooi (Young Brazilians)
Quinton van Staden (Young Brazilians)
Paulus Amutenya (Unam FC)
Festus Petrus (Eeshoke Chula Chula)
Motjari Kazondunge (Quiver FC)
Nathanael Nakare (Julinho Sporting)
Forwards (8):
Willy Stephanus (African Stars)
Paulus Aluhodi (African Stars)
Nani Fares Haidula (Eeshoke Chula Chula)
Garland Kaengurova (Okahandja United)
Nashiku Muyeka (Airborne FC)
Marcelino George (Eeshoke Chula Chula)
Barnard Horaseb (Mighty Gunners)
Jackson Nangolo (Eeshoke Chula Chula)
The squad represents a mix of experienced players and emerging talents from across the country’s football landscape, and the coaches will now have the task of refining the team ahead of the crucial qualifiers.
The road to CHAN glory begins here, and Namibia’s football fans will be hoping the Brave Warriors can once again make their mark on the continental stage.