Namibia has a chance: Jacobs

Namibia has a chance: Jacobs Tough world cup fixtures loom Namibia now has the right calibre of players to give other nations a run for their money during the World Cup qualifiers, former Warriors coach Woody Jacobs believes. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

WINDHOEK

Former Brave Warriors assistant coach Woody Jacobs is adamant that the senior national football team can cause a few upsets in their World Cup qualifier group.

“We have players that are setting the South African Premier League alight and I just feel this is the time to really push for the ultimate price,” he said.

Namibia is slotted into group H alongside Senegal, Togo and Congo, on a quest for their first ever world cup qualification.

The Namibians will come up against French and top English premier league players, with the likes of Senegal’s Sadio Mane expected to play for their respective nations.

Although Namibia has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations, the country still yearns for a place at the world’s biggest sports showpiece.

“Yes, we will definitely go into the qualifiers as underdogs, given that we face stronger nations as far as rankings are concerned.

“I am however confident that we have a chance, given the number of players at our disposal,” Jacobs said.

Peter Shalulile, Deon Hotto, Ananias Gebhardt, Riaan Hanamub, Petrus Shitembi, Joslin Kamatuka, Vergil Vries, Wangu Gome, Manfred Starke, Ryan Nyambe, Denzel Haoseb are some of the players that Jacobs believe can be relied on.

Balanced

Jacob feels Namibia has achieved the right balance to challenge the bigger nations.

He believes that Namibia should beef up the technical squad with the expertise they need to finetune their game.

“I think we need to bolster the technical team in order to give Bobby all the support he needs, or anyone else.

“We have amazing homegrown talent and I just believe we can be a force to be reckoned with, if we apply our minds and tactics,” Jacobs said.

The former Warriors assistant coach said Namibia must capitalise on beating Togo and Congo, with the aim of at least avoiding three points against Senegal.