Namibia u15s ready for World Cup challenge
Namibia’s Under-15 boys’ team is preparing for a major international challenge as the Young Warriors get ready to compete at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 22 to 30 October.
Head coach Woody Jacobs expressed confidence in the squad’s quality, saying preparations had progressed well ahead of the tournament, which brings together youth teams from FIFA member associations around the world.
Namibia will compete in Group AC against São Tomé and Príncipe, the British Virgin Islands, Poland, Bermuda and Georgia.
The Namibia Football Association has named a final 14-player squad comprising two goalkeepers, four defenders, five midfielders and three forwards.
The selected goalkeepers are Gertze Jones Jacobus and Schaeffler Andre. The defensive options are Muhupua Munionganda, Maritshane Penwell Reneilwe, Pedro Delgado Hanganeni and Haragaeb Madawa McFran.
The midfielders are Viwango Esau Ndiamba, Seibeb Wentworth Bright, Schmidt Tiago Tilenge, Quest Eric Florico Gangan and Majiedt Oliver Francis Paul, while the forwards are Kavendjii Henrico Unomuinjo, Britz Jaylan James Isaiah and Khumalo Zanenkosi Tugama Fezile.
Jacobs said the team had completed a training camp and played an 11-a-side friendly against Botswana earlier this month. He reported no major injury concerns and said the technical team had been working to help the players adapt to the tournament’s eight-a-side format.
“We are getting used to that, and you can see that we are working hard in getting them to understand the format,” Jacobs said, describing the game as high-intensity and end-to-end.
The coach praised the talent within the squad but stressed that the team’s collective performance would be key to its success.
“Some sensational talents that we have, but it’s not about the individual. It’s more about the team, and we want to do well,” he said.
Namibia’s campaign begins on Saturday, 24 October, against São Tomé and Príncipe at 12:30, followed by two matches on Sunday against the British Virgin Islands at 10:45 and Poland at 17:30.
The Young Warriors will then face Bermuda on Monday at 09:30 before concluding their group fixtures against Georgia at 16:15. All kick-off times are Namibia time.
Jacobs also highlighted the opportunity for young Namibian players to attract international scouts and potentially secure opportunities with clubs abroad.
“For Namibia to grow, we need to have exports. If four or five of these players can get snapped up by European clubs or by clubs all over the world, it will only be to the betterment of Namibian football,” he said.
Although Namibia did not qualify through a traditional qualification campaign, the invitation provides a valuable opportunity to measure the country’s young talent against international opposition.
Jacobs believes the festival could contribute to the long-term development of Namibian football by exposing young players to different styles of play and opening pathways to international opportunities.
