Namibia begin World Cup preparations in Jo’burg

Namibia have held a first training session in Johannesburg as they prepare to host Congo in their World Cup qualifier at the Orlando Stadum on Thursday.

They have been forced to move the match from Namibia after an inspection of stadia in the country, by the Confederation of African football, found none were up to international standard.

Instead Namibia have asked to host the match in neighbouring South Africa with coach Bobby Samaria claiming: “Most of our professional players are based there, so playing at Orlando Stadium will be like a second home for them.”

Virgil Vries of Swallows FC was the last of the DStv Premiership-based contingent to join up with the squad after playing on Sunday in the MTN8 semifinal with his club at Cape Town City.

The rest of the squad have already assembled over the weekend to begin preparations for the Group F clash.

It will be followed by a trip to Lome where Togo host Namibia on Sunday.

Namibia will also use the Orlando Stadium next month for their next home match in the group against Senegal.

SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Lodyt Kazapua (Chippa United, South Africa), Kamaijanda Ndisiro (Venda Football Academy, South Africa), Virgil Vries (Swallows FC, South Africa)

Defenders: Ananias Gebhardt (Baroka FC, South Africa), Charles Hambira (unattached), Riaan Hanamub (Chippa United, South Africa), Denzil Haoseb (Polokwane City, South Africa), Larry Horaeb (Tura Magic), Ivan Kamberipa (African Stars), Teberius Lombardt (Zanaco, Zambia), Approcius Petrus (Eleven Arrows)

Midfielders: Dynamo Fredericks, Wangu Gome (Alashkert, Armenia), Alfeus Handura (African Stars), Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Absalom Iimbondi (Tigers), Wesley Katjiteo (unattached), Marcel Papama (African Stars), Willy Stephanus (Lusaka Dynamos), Prins Tjiueza (Young United Academy)

Forwards: Elmo Kambindu (Costa do Sol, Mozambique), Issaskar Gurirab (Life Fighters), Joslin Kamatuka (Baroka FC, South Africa), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Benson Shilongo (Ismaili, Egypt).