THE Namibia senior football team, Brave Warriors, was on Wednesday morning presented with a sponsorship of close to N$800 000 by Namib Desert Diamonds (NAMDIA) to help qualify for the 2019 CAF African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with winning and draw bonuses.
Namibia’s leading diamonds selling agent presented the winning and draw bonuses and said that it will be paid to the Brave Warriors in its quest to qualify for the third continental championships, AFCON, finals appearance.
Speaking at a media briefing in Windhoek, NAMDIA Executive Officer, Kennedy Hamutenya, said that players will each get N$5 000 for a draw and N$10 000 for a win, starting with the two victories against Mozambique.
He stated that the company’s motivation in coming on board was triggered by the big prize of qualifying for the AFCON Finals.
“With this sponsorship, we are confident it will serve as an incentive for the players to perform at their peak, to once again push this nation through the greatest sports contest on the continent. We are very aware that our players endure tough times whilst at the same time carry the national flag. We need to make our players carry our flag with pride and not allow them to run on empty stomachs,” Hamutenya says.
Hamutenya called on the players to remain focused and win more trophies and games for Namibia.
“There is nothing more motivating than the ecstasy of winning and the thrill of victory. NAMDIA is proud to be part of the Brave Warriors in good and bad times. We look forward to a long term relationship,” he said.
Brave Warrior head coach, Ricardo Mannetti, also welcomed the gesture, as did Namibia Football Association(NFA) General Secretary, Barry Rukoro, who clarified that the association will be looking at how best to take care of the technical team as the deal only concerned the players.
Brave Warriors captain Ronald Ketjijere commended NAMDIA and thanked the company for the generous gesture on behalf of the team.
“When we heard the news, it was on the eve of our game against Mozambique and I told the players to remain calm and focused and let our football do the talking. We have come a long way and surely this gesture can only push us more and keep us focused on the goal at hand, which is qualification to 2019 AFCON,” Ketjijere stated.
Brave Warriors will host Guinea Bissau on 17 November 2018. A win in that encounter and a draw in the Mozambique vs Zambia game will allow Namibia to book a place for the Cameroon 2019 AFCON finals.
