WINDHOEK: Namibian national senior football team coach, Collin Benjamin on Wednesday announced his 23-man squad to represent the country in the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set for Ivory Coast.

The continental showpiece is slated for 13 January to 11 February 2024, with Namibia competing in Group E against Tunisia, Mali, and South Africa in the towns of Korhogo and San Pedro.

Benjamin, who previously served as Ricardo Mannetti’s assistant coach at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, selected a mix of experienced and new players to his squad.

The experienced players in the 2019 tournament include Loydt Kazapua and Edward Maova as goalkeepers, Ryan Nyambe, Denzil Haoseb, Ivan Kamberipa, Charles Hambira, Riaan Hanamub and Ananias Gebhardt as defenders, Absalom Iimbondi, Petrus Shitembi, Marcell Papama as midfielders, and Deon Hotto, Peter Shalulile, and Joslin Kamatuka as strikers.

Players who will be making their first appearance at an AFCON final are Kamaijanda Ndisiro as goalkeeper, Kennedy Amute
nya and Lubeni Haukongo as defenders, Ngero Katua, Aprocious Petrus, Prins Tjiueza, Uetuuru Kambato as midfielders, and forwards Bethuel Muzeu and Wendell Rudath.

Benjamin in a statement availed by the Namibia Football Association on Wednesday expressed confidence in the team’s potential, saying: ‘Before we think of outplaying our opponents, we have to outplay our previous performances in the tournament. AFCON is our World Cup, and we aim to leave a mark.’

The coach also highlighted the significance of cohesion, strategy, perfection, and the right mindset. The 2023 AFCON will take place in five different cities across the Ivory Coast, including Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouake, San Pedro, and Korhogo.

Namibia’s first match will be against Tunisia on 16 January 2024 in Korhogo.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency