28 August 2009

THE national under-17 football side are in Angola for theâ-¨FESA under-20 tournament starting today in Lunda-Norte Province.

The 20-man squad who left on Wednesday include two notable faces - African Stars striker Ikuaterua Tjozongoro and Hansa Rostock's Manfred Starke.

The 18-year-old Tjozongoro once represented Namibia at under-17 level, when Namibia played Angola in the COSAFA u/17 Championships in 2007 and promised to make an impact.

Tjozongoro said: "It is my first time with this team and I want to make it my home and move up the ladder to the senior side. I'm happy that finally I made the team and surely I will do my best in helping the team win in Angola and beyond."

Another new face, Starke, who is a midfielder, is delighted about the call-up as well: "I have been in Germany playing for the Hansa Rostock junior team in the Bundesliga second league and I'm determined to impress."

Namibia will compete the Eduardo dos Santos Foundation (FESA) Tournament, against hosts Angola, Botswana and Malawi and new coach Richard Starke is cognisant of the latest challenge.

"It's a challenge for me to get the best out of the boys and I'm confident that we have a strong team that will bring us success and that we can ultimately be proud of.

"We have to develop the team for two years and with the talent we have I don't expect major problems with them. I'm still bonding with the players and its going great", Starke said.

The NFA will be sending the same group of players to South Africa for the COSAFA under-20 tournament in Bloemfontein later in December.

Other travelling members include Head of Mission Franz Mbidi, NFA technical director Klaus Staerk and team manager Jakes Amaning and Paulina Amwenye as the medic.

The squad: Tarioq Claasen, Gregorous Tsuseb, Wallaceâ-¨Mosiane, Gregorious Issak, Eslin Kamuhanga, Sakeus Wilbard,Petrus Shitembi, Neville Tjiueza, Collin Ndjai, Ikuaterua Tjozongoro, Gerson Asheelo, Robinson Iyambo, Randall Goagoseb, Oswaldo Xamseb (captain) , Manfred Starke, Samuel Goagoseb, Alpheus Handura, Clerence Engelbrecht (NFA Secretariat).

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