Warriors coach appointment ‘soon’
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
WINDHOEK
The Namibia Football Association (NFA) executive is expected to recommend and endorse the appointment of a new national team coach before the end of August, president Ranga Haikali said.
Six shortlisted coaches were interviewed for the top spot this week.
About a fortnight ago, Namibian Sun reported that Bobby Samaria, Collin Benjamin and Ali Akan are among those shortlisted for the job.
Sources say the three are allegedly accompanied by three foreign nationals whose identities are being kept under wraps.
This newspaper has, however, learnt that Zambian national Winston Nyirenda, a certain Hans from Holland and another European, whose name remains uncovered, are alleged to have gone through the interviews.
Haikali - who could not confirm the names of the foreign coaches – said he expects the coach appointment to be completed before Namibia’s next World Cup qualifier assignment.
“I can actually not tell you who the names are because that is with the human resources consultancy doing the appointments and recommendations.
“As the NFA, we will need to host an emergency exco meeting to endorse the appointment of the new coach upon recommendations from the HR company,” Haikali said.
Racing against the clock
The NFA is racing against the clock to have a coach appointed permanently ahead of the country’s first qualifier match to be played on 1 September.
There have been reports that the appointment could be delayed if not completed within the next two weeks.
The national team is currently under the leadership of interim coach Samaria.
Namibian Sun understands some of the football association’s leaders are gunning for the renewal of Samaria’s interim contract until the first phase of the qualifiers are done, or at least until December.
A vacuum in communication between those heading the association is suspected to be among the things that have delayed a concrete decision.
Sources have also not ruled out the possibility of the coach only being appointed after the qualifiers.
Haikali, however, downplayed this possibility with optimism that Namibia could be playing with a permanent coach by the beginning of next month.
The national team has been without a permanent coach since the acrimonious exit of former Cosafa Cup winning coach, Ricardo Manetti, at the end of March 2019.
This led to the appointment of Samaria as acting coach after Benjamin refused to take on the hot seat on an acting basis.
Fixtures
The Brave Warriors’ immediate assignment is against Congo in the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa.
Namibia will then battle Togo away on 5 September, before taking on Senegal on 6 October.
The Warriors will play host to Senegal on 10 October for the return leg before playing Congo away on 11 November.
Brave Warriors’ last group match will be at home, against Togo on 14 November.
The team will, however, play its home games outside Namibia’s borders after the national stadiums were declared unfit for international matches.
WINDHOEK
The Namibia Football Association (NFA) executive is expected to recommend and endorse the appointment of a new national team coach before the end of August, president Ranga Haikali said.
Six shortlisted coaches were interviewed for the top spot this week.
About a fortnight ago, Namibian Sun reported that Bobby Samaria, Collin Benjamin and Ali Akan are among those shortlisted for the job.
Sources say the three are allegedly accompanied by three foreign nationals whose identities are being kept under wraps.
This newspaper has, however, learnt that Zambian national Winston Nyirenda, a certain Hans from Holland and another European, whose name remains uncovered, are alleged to have gone through the interviews.
Haikali - who could not confirm the names of the foreign coaches – said he expects the coach appointment to be completed before Namibia’s next World Cup qualifier assignment.
“I can actually not tell you who the names are because that is with the human resources consultancy doing the appointments and recommendations.
“As the NFA, we will need to host an emergency exco meeting to endorse the appointment of the new coach upon recommendations from the HR company,” Haikali said.
Racing against the clock
The NFA is racing against the clock to have a coach appointed permanently ahead of the country’s first qualifier match to be played on 1 September.
There have been reports that the appointment could be delayed if not completed within the next two weeks.
The national team is currently under the leadership of interim coach Samaria.
Namibian Sun understands some of the football association’s leaders are gunning for the renewal of Samaria’s interim contract until the first phase of the qualifiers are done, or at least until December.
A vacuum in communication between those heading the association is suspected to be among the things that have delayed a concrete decision.
Sources have also not ruled out the possibility of the coach only being appointed after the qualifiers.
Haikali, however, downplayed this possibility with optimism that Namibia could be playing with a permanent coach by the beginning of next month.
The national team has been without a permanent coach since the acrimonious exit of former Cosafa Cup winning coach, Ricardo Manetti, at the end of March 2019.
This led to the appointment of Samaria as acting coach after Benjamin refused to take on the hot seat on an acting basis.
Fixtures
The Brave Warriors’ immediate assignment is against Congo in the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa.
Namibia will then battle Togo away on 5 September, before taking on Senegal on 6 October.
The Warriors will play host to Senegal on 10 October for the return leg before playing Congo away on 11 November.
Brave Warriors’ last group match will be at home, against Togo on 14 November.
The team will, however, play its home games outside Namibia’s borders after the national stadiums were declared unfit for international matches.
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