Namibia’s Brave Gladiators have sent warning shots to Zambia ahead of tomorrow’s 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Namibia.
Head Coach Lucky Kakuva has revealed that his team’s objective is very clear, it’s to beat Zambia do that they have an upper when they travel to Ndola for the return leg.
Kakuva said his team has adopted a philosophy of rising to the occasion and that what they will employ when they square off with the Copper Queens on Wednesday. He is confident that the mindset of his players is right for this encounter.
Kakuva and the Brave Gladiators are seeking to avenge their 2022 elimination (Zambia qualified at their expense) at the hands of Zambia when the Copper Queens advanced on away goals after the two-leg tie ended 1-1.
“Yeah, thanks for having me. I think it’s one of our most important games, obviously it’s a WAFCON qualifier, first leg of the qualifier. Our approach is typical of Brave Gladiators, our objective is to go out tomorrow, it’s our home game, and then to defeat the Zambians and to make sure that we have got the upper hand before we play them away. So our preparations went very well, I’m confident about the players, and then in terms of our game plan, the philosophy that we have adopted is to rise to the occasion tomorrow and do the work. Our objective is to win this match,” Kakuva said.
“Yeah, the positives are there. We have selected a balanced team. The experience within the team, most of the players that have been part of the team, is still there. So from the perspective of coaching, I think it’s continuity. These players have got international exposure. And then, most importantly, the mindset of the players is a right to perform during this match. And then those are some of the positives that we can take.”
“The girls cannot wait for this match. They are eager. They are determined to prove a point against Zambia because as a country, as far as Brave Gladiators women’s football is concerned, I think the previous WAFCON, we could not qualify as a result of the loss. It’s not actually the loss, the away goals that we conceded against Zambia. But this time around, we have worked out a very, very clear game plan. And the goal is to beat Zambia tomorrow,” he added.
The match will take place at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto meaning away from the Brave Gladiators fans but Kakuva says they have worked on the mindsets of the players to be ready to play home away from home.
Kakuva went on to ask the fans to trust the process and keep supporting the team as they not known as Brave Gladiators by mistake or fluke.
“Yeah, obviously, you know, we don’t have the 12th man, but then we have been working on the mindsets of the players that, you know, it’s home away from home. But then you’ve got the experience, we’ve got the football exposure. So, yes, get your mindset right. And we have been grinding the girls to let them know that we are playing away from home. And then, you know, if you want it, you can get it. So mentally, I think our players are well prepared and to give it their best shot,” he said.
“My promise to the fans is to trust the process, the team is not called Brave Gladiators by fluke. The team is here to represent Namibia to the best of its ability and then to reach the objective and the objective is to beat Zambia tomorrow.”
Kick off at Dobsonville Stadium is set for 15h00 Central African Time and the match will be live on NFA Facebook page and COSAFA TV.
Namibia w vs Zambia w team
Results please 🙏🥺⚽