COSAFA Cup hosts Namibia face Botswana

by BackPageTXT

Friday Jun 17, 2016. 12:40

Namibia will be eyeing Botswana's scalp in the 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup quarter-final clash at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 18h30 (CAT).

The tournament hosts Namibia played to a goalless stalemate with a spirited Malawi side in a friendly match last week Wednesday.

The Brave Warriors of Namibia are also the defending champions of the COSAFA Castle Cup having won the competition last year in South Africa.

Ricardo Mannetti, who remains Namibia's head coach, named a strong squad at this year's regional tournament.

One of the team's key players is Deon Hotto of Lamontville Golden Arrows in South Africa. The skillful winger will be hoping shine against Botswana.

Meanwhile, Botswana are hoping hand the tournament hosts a defeat when the two nations lock horns on Saturday evening.

The Zebras of Botswana were unable to secure a friendly game ahead of the regional tournament, but they have been in camp for over a month now.

Peter Butler, the Zebras head coach, brought a 20-man squad to Windhoek. The squad includes experienced goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe of Township Rollers.

Team captain Joel Mogorosi will be looking to lead his nation to their maiden COSAFA Castle Cup title starting with a win on Saturday.

Namibia and Botswana have locked horns 16 times in international friendlies, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and COSAFA Cup since 1994.

The Zebras have won six matches compared to Brave Warriors' two. Eight matches have ended in draws between the two nations.