Gladiators eye Gambia’s scalp

The Brave Gladiators of Namibia left for Morocco over the weekend as they gear up for their two upcoming 2024 Africa Women Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying matches.

The side coached by Paulus Shipanga will face Gambia on 21 and 24 September – with both the first and second leg fixtures to be played in Morocco.

Shipanga said the team knows what is at stake and will not be taking any of the WAFCON qualifiers lightly.

“Gambia wants to win this round as much as we do, and it is up to us to make sure that we go out there and do our best. The goal is to qualify for the WAFCON tournament, which will take place in Morocco next year,” the coach said.

The winner of this round between the two nations will play the winner against Rwanda versus Ghana and the winner in the second round will automatically progress to next year’s WAFCON tournament to take place in Morocco.

After this competition, the team will set their eyes on the Cosafa Women’s Championship in Durban from 4 to 11 October.

Thereafter their attention will return to the WAFCON campaign, where they will face FIFA World Cup debutants Morocco in the first leg of the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers on 23 October. The second leg clash will follow on 31 October.

Senior Gladiators player Lovisa Mulunga said the new players are blending in well and despite limited resources at their disposal to ready for this clash, they are looking to make the most of it without excuses.