Brave Gladiators set for COSAFA challenge
As the Brave Gladiators prepare for the 2026 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship in Polokwane, South Africa, they will be looking to rediscover the form that once saw them reach the final of the regional showpiece.
The tournament runs from 18 February to 1 March, with Namibia opening their campaign against Mozambique before facing Madagascar in the group stages.
Brave Gladiators head coach Lucky Kakuva has named his final 23-player squad, following an initial preliminary list of 44 players. The squad includes goalkeepers Melissa Mathews, Agnes Kauzuu and Tunga Ndiweteko; defenders Lovisa Mulunga, Unonjamo Kaetjavi, Emma Naris, Julia Rutjindo, Lorraine Jossop, Ina Katuta, Twelikondjela Amukoto and Mbakondja Kahiriri; midfielders Asteria Angula, Memory Ngonda, Senoritha Aoachamus, Millicent Hikuam, Zenatha Coleman and Kylie Van Wyk; and forwards Leena Alweendo, Nancy Lebang, Juliana Blou, Ivonne Kooper, Muhinatjo Hanavi and Beverly Ueuzeua.
Namibia have a proud history in the COSAFA Women’s Championship. Their best finish came in 2006, when they reached the final after strong group-stage performances and a penalty shoot-out victory over Zambia, ultimately losing 3–1 to South Africa. More recently, the team reached the semi-finals in 2022, finishing fourth after narrow defeats to South Africa and Tanzania.
Despite group-stage exits in several other editions, including 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024, the Brave Gladiators have shown flashes of promise, such as 8–0 and 7–0 victories over Mauritius and Seychelles, respectively. Currently ranked 124th in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings and 19th in Africa, the team will aim to improve on past performances and progress further in 2026.
Group C overview
Namibia has been drawn in Group C alongside Mozambique and Madagascar, forming a tightly contested three-team pool. The opening game sees Namibia face Mozambique, with little margin for error in such a compact group.
Mozambique, semi-finalists in the last two editions, are possibly the favourites, while Namibia will aim to leverage their semi-final experience from 2022. Madagascar, who have never progressed beyond the group stage, could prove a challenging opponent as they seek a breakthrough. Notably, these are rare match-ups, with little historical data between the sides in COSAFA competition, adding an element of unpredictability to the group.
With a balanced squad blending experience and youth, Namibia will be hoping to advance beyond the group stage and possibly emulate or surpass their historic 2006 success.
