Gladiators fall to Botswana
Botswana held on to their lead to earn what Namibian coach Uerikondjera Kasaona described as a 'lucky win'.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
The senior national women's football team, the Brave Gladiators, lost 1-0 to Botswana in their opening Group B match of the 2019 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Women's Championship on Thursday.
The Gladiators, who started off well, fell behind to a Michelle Abueng goal in the 44th minute after the Namibian defence was caught napping by a defence-splitting pass from Botswana captain Esalenna Galekhtle.
Abueng slipped the ball past Melisa Matheus in goal for Namibia.
Prior to that, Namibia had carved out a few chances of their own, but failed to convert them into points.
Zenatha Coleman took a lovely free kick in the fifth minute, but the resultant header by Millicent Hikuam flashed wide.
A corner by Ivone Kooper also went wide, while Coleman was denied what looked like a penalty in the 35th minute to leave the score line 1-0 at halftime.
The second half saw Namibia increase their tempo in a bid to pull a goal back, but the Botswana defence stood resolute, as more chances went begging, with Coleman shooting tamely at Botswana goalkeeper Bame Mokime.
Substitute Beverly Uueziua missed an open goal following great work by Coleman at the wing.
Another replacement player, Annoushka Kordom, also saw her header from a corner kick flash wide as Namibia piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser.
“It is a sad ending of the match for my players as we lacked the finishing touch. Luck was with the opponents as we were supposed to finish the match in the first 15 minutes,” coach Kasaona said.
The senior national women's football team, the Brave Gladiators, lost 1-0 to Botswana in their opening Group B match of the 2019 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Women's Championship on Thursday.
The Gladiators, who started off well, fell behind to a Michelle Abueng goal in the 44th minute after the Namibian defence was caught napping by a defence-splitting pass from Botswana captain Esalenna Galekhtle.
Abueng slipped the ball past Melisa Matheus in goal for Namibia.
Prior to that, Namibia had carved out a few chances of their own, but failed to convert them into points.
Zenatha Coleman took a lovely free kick in the fifth minute, but the resultant header by Millicent Hikuam flashed wide.
A corner by Ivone Kooper also went wide, while Coleman was denied what looked like a penalty in the 35th minute to leave the score line 1-0 at halftime.
The second half saw Namibia increase their tempo in a bid to pull a goal back, but the Botswana defence stood resolute, as more chances went begging, with Coleman shooting tamely at Botswana goalkeeper Bame Mokime.
Substitute Beverly Uueziua missed an open goal following great work by Coleman at the wing.
Another replacement player, Annoushka Kordom, also saw her header from a corner kick flash wide as Namibia piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser.
“It is a sad ending of the match for my players as we lacked the finishing touch. Luck was with the opponents as we were supposed to finish the match in the first 15 minutes,” coach Kasaona said.
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