Namibia rugby announce men’s squad for Africa Cup

Namibia announces Rugby Africa Cup squad

JOHANNESBURG, May 17 (ANA) – Rugby Namibia has named its men’s team squad to do duty in upcoming international friendlies against Zimbabwe and in the Africa Cup, following national trials in Windhoek over the weekend.

Over 70 players attended the trials, hoping to impress Namibia men’s team interim coach Robbie Dickson ahead of the Zimbabwe friendlies in June.

Dickson said: “I think we can pick a squad from Windhoek alone that’s good enough to beat Zimbabwe. There’s so much talent in Namibian rugby right now, especially in our club rugby structures, while we have players coming from the north, from the coast and Windhoek itself, so I’m pretty sure we can get the job done.

“Zimbabwe is always a difficult test, they are big physical guys, so it’s going to be hard rugby, but our forwards are hard and tough so they are not scared of size, and I’m pretty sure we will be able to do the job with them.”

The friendlies against Zimbabwe will take place on June 12 in Harare, and June 19 in Windhoek.

Namibia will play Ivory Coast on July 3 and Madagascar on July 10 in the Africa Cup, with the national selectors having the final say with the squad makeup.

Though the trials featured the majority of the players in contention for places in the national team, there were still some who did not attend which Dickson said would remain in his plans.

“A lot of players fell sick this week especially with the cold, while others had work obligations and some players are also injured, so we have drawn up a shortlist of about 10 or 11 players that will be added to the squad.” – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman