Namibia is back on the Africa Cup of Nations stage after an eleven-year absence, with coach Ricardo Mannetti naming his 23-man squad for the 2019 tournament. As underdogs in Group D, the Brave Warriors will face Morocco, South Africa, and Ivory Coast, relying on a mix of domestic talent and a few Europe-based players.
Notable absences include key qualifiers goalkeeper Virgil Vries and defender Teberius Lombard, while familiar faces like Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Nyambe and attackers Peter Shalulile (Highlands Park) and Benson Shilongo (Ismaily) lead the squad.
Namibia’s 23-man squad for AFCON 2019:
Goalkeepers:
- Loydt Kazapua (Maccabi FC)
- Max Mbaeva (Lamontville Golden Arrows)
- Ratanda Mbazuvara (African Stars)
Defenders:
- Charles Hambira (Tura Magic)
- Riaan Hanamub (Jomo Cosmos)
- Denzil Haoseb (Highlands Park)
- Larry Horaeb (Baroka FC)
- Ivan Kamberipa (African Stars)
- Ryan Nyambe (Blackburn Rovers)
Midfielders:
- Dynamo Fredericks (Black Africa)
- Ananias Gebhardt (Tura Magic)
- Deon Hotto (Bidvest Wits)
- Absalom Iimbondi (Tigers FC)
- Joslyn Kamatuka (Cape Umoya United)
- Ronald Ketjijere (African Stars)
- Marcel Papama (African Stars)
- Willy Stephanus (Lusaka Dynamos)
- Petrus Shitembi (Lusaka Dynamos)
Forwards:
- Isaskar Gurirab (Life Fighters)
- Itamunua Keimuine (Dire Dawa City)
- Peter Shalulile (Highlands Park)
- Benson Shilongo (Ismaily)
- Manfred Starke (Carl Zeiss Jena)
The Brave Warriors enter the tournament as outsiders but will look to make an impact with their youthful energy and disciplined structure.
