South Africa kick-off their COSAFA Cup campaign vs Namibia in what could be an action-packed opener. Both sides have faced each other on seven occasions, with Bafana getting the better of the Brave Warriors five times and drawing twice.
South Africa vs Namibia
Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup
Wednesday, 05 July – 18:00
King Zwelithini Stadium
South Africa have featured in the COSAFA Cup 18 times, the first being in 1998 and have since gone on to win the tournament five times – the latest triumph coming just two years ago in 2021. All eyes will be on our boys as they look to equal Zimbabwe and Zambia with six COSAFA Cup titles.
Preparations have gone very well for Bafana and Morena Ramoreboli, and there are some very committed individuals, very hungry and willing to fight for the nation. Bafana Bafana need to be consistent and focused throughout the tournament as this group of players have what it takes to go all the way.
Interim coach Ramoreboli has selected his 23-man squad to take on the COSAFA Cup and managed to assemble a competitive squad that could have strong claims to go all the way and win this tournament. In addition to this, Bafana Bafana have a man that knows how to win the COSAFA Cup having done it during his month-long tenure in 2021.
What stands out in the squad is that Mamelodi Sundowns are the most represented team with five players, although they are all fringe stars. The presence of the likes of Victor Letsoalo, Lyle Lakay, Bonginkosi Makume, Iqraam Rayners and Sibongiseni Mthethwa should make Bafana Bafana strong.
Also included in the squad is midfielder Thabo Cele who plies his trade in Poland with Radomiak Radom. This is a good opportunity for these players to come out and showcase their talent in front of the whole country and for their respective clubs.
The final Bafana Bafana squad set for the COSAFA Cup this month. 🇿🇦⚽️ pic.twitter.com/2gzDmVJvfn
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) June 30, 2023
To Win Match
South Africa 6/10 | Draw 24/10 | Namibia 44/10
Namibia are no strangers to this tournament having made 19 appearances to date, with the first coming in 1997 while they have won it once in 2015. The Brave Warriors came runners-up to Zambia in last year’s COSAFA Cup, going down 1-0 in extra-time which could fuel their fire to go all the way again.
Coach Collin Benjamin plans to rest many of the key players for the COSAFA Cup, including their sharpshooter and leading goalscorer Peter Shalulile as they are a point away from securing qualification for AFCON 2023, leaving the new recruits and fringe players to carry the baton and do the job for the Brave Warriors.
Coach Benjamin called up several newcomers who have impressed in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership this season, while regulars Charles Hambira and Loyd Kazapua are not available for selection through injury and suspension respectively. Unsurprisingly, newly crowned domestic topflight champions African Stars enjoy prominence in the training squad with no less than five representatives.
Benjamin also wants to have a closer look at Life Fighters midfield duo of Lawrence Doeseb and Devin Somseb, while clubmates Erwin Tjiuja and Eliakim Jadsson will get a chance to stake a claim for regular call-ups in the attacking positions. Bethuel Muzeu is the understudy of Shalulile and one to look out for as he is young, full of energy and on the verge of becoming a beast as he showed a lot of promise in the tournament last year.
Verdict: South Africa (6/10)
South Africa head into this matchup as clear favourites and rightly so given their impressive head-to-head record with Namibia. The tournament have a strong squad capable of going all the way and I’m backing them to start the tournament on a winning note.
