Benjamin names Brave Warriors squad for Cameroon double-header

Football
Brave Warriors head coach Collin Benjamin has announced his squad for two crucial encounters against Cameroon in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers.
Brian Munango
  • 1 Hour Ago

Brave Warriors head coach Collin Benjamin has announced a 34-player provisional squad for Namibia’s upcoming back-to-back TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying matches against Cameroon.


Namibia will face the Indomitable Lions away on 12 November before meeting them again on 16 November in Gaborone, Botswana, as the Brave Warriors look to strengthen their position in Group G and revive their qualification campaign.


The announcement follows Namibia’s disappointing 6–0 defeat to Russia in an international friendly at Ekaterinburg Arena earlier this month, a result that exposed the physical and technical gap between the two sides.

Speaking during the squad announcement, Benjamin admitted the defeat had taken an emotional toll on the team but said the experience provided valuable lessons.


“Emotionally, yes, we lost that match 6–0. It doesn’t sit well, it doesn’t feel good. We had sleepless nights, especially when you look at the way we conceded the goals,” he said.

Benjamin acknowledged Russia’s quality and pointed to the need for Namibia to improve physically and tactically, while calling for continued development at league, club and academy level.

“We need to get stronger. We need to get tactically better. We need to work,” he said, adding that he accepted full responsibility for the result.


Despite the setback, the coach will look to his experienced players to lead Namibia’s response against Cameroon. The squad includes forward Peter Shalulile of Young Africans FC, Sekhukhune FC striker Betuel Muzeu and Orlando Pirates midfielder Deon Hotto.


Muzeu scored Namibia’s winner in their opening AFCON qualifier, a 1–0 victory over Congo in Gaborone, before the Brave Warriors suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat to Comoros in Moroni. Namibia have three points from their opening two Group G matches.


The squad also features Aproccius Petrus, Moses Shidolo, Prins Tijueza, Petrus Shitembi, Ivan Kamberipa, Kennedy Eib and Welwin Hanamub, alongside several players from domestic clubs.

Cameroon began their qualifying campaign with a 3–1 victory over Comoros and will present a significant challenge for Benjamin’s side. The two November encounters offer Namibia an opportunity to collect crucial points against one of the group’s strongest opponents.


With the top two teams in Group G qualifying for the 2027 AFCON finals, the Brave Warriors cannot afford many more setbacks. The team will need to demonstrate greater defensive organisation, physical resilience and composure on the ball as they seek to keep their qualification hopes alive.


Namibia’s 34-player provisional squad

Goalkeepers

  • Kamaijanda Ndisiro — Highbury FC
  • Misipile Sibeso — Chula Chula FC
  • Bartholomeus Ingo — Khomas Nampol FC

Defenders

  • Ivan Kamberipa — Gaborone United FC
  • Kennedy Eib — Simba Bhora FC
  • Alex Mumbango — Chicken Inn FC
  • Tyrese Hikupembe — Chicken Inn FC
  • Sergio Damaseb — Simba Bhora FC
  • Sisqo Haraseb — Zanaco FC
  • Welwin Hanamub — AmaZulu FC
  • Ngero Katua — Highbury FC
  • Cosmos Shitulapo — Okamwandi FC
  • Victor Alweendo — Onambula United

Midfielders

  • Deon Hotto — Orlando Pirates
  • Aproccius Petrus — Al Hilal FC, Sudan
  • Moses Shidolo — Scottland FC
  • Paulus Amutenya — Gaborone United FC
  • Petrus Shitembi — Kuching United FC
  • Prins Tijueza — Cape Town City FC
  • Ben Namib — Jwaneng Galaxy FC
  • Wendell Rudath — Bucs Buccaneers
  • Ngahape Kasaona — Blue Waters FC
  • Michael Jonas — Khomas Nampol FC
  • Johannes Shiyave — Chula Chula FC
  • Absalom Iimbondi — Khomas Nampol FC
  • Lawrence Doeseb — African Stars FC
  • Tjinaotjiua Kambirongo — Okamwandi FC

Forwards

  • Peter Shalulile — Young Africans FC
  • Betuel Muzeu — Sekhukhune FC
  • Christian Somseb — Chula Chula FC
  • Tjitjiheiu Kurija — FC Ongos
  • Rashid Naobeb — Bucs Buccaneers
  • Bio Gurirab — Platinum FC
  • Simon Elago — Khomas Nampol FC


The Brave Warriors will travel to Cameroon for the first encounter on 12 November before returning to Gaborone for the second match on 16 November. Both fixtures will be important in determining Namibia’s prospects of reaching the 2027 continental finals.