The Brave Gladiators are wrapping up preparations ahead of their WAFCON Qualification matches against The Gambia on the 21 & 24September 2023 respectively. Morocco will host both nations at the ElJadida -Stade El Abdi stadium in Casablanca.
Gladiators Fitness & Conditioning Coach,Alfred Nyenge says it has been two good days of a competitive camp, with great display of skill and dedication from the team.
“ With forty eight four hours before match day,I’m impressed with the team fitness. We are going more into tactical orientated drills to see if the team will physically react,that will remain the focus for the coming days. We expected a more humid weather but the weather is pretty good and everyone is in tune and know what is expected of them.
The youngest player in the current squad,Vijakura Tjingaete who plays for Girls & Goals FC in the FNB Women Super League hopes to make her debut for the Gladiators,she captained the Womens u20 national team in 2021 for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Burundi.
Vijakura started playing league football for Kasoana Football Academy in the Hopsol Youth League in 2018. The League which predominantly features male players allows a number of girls to play as well.
“ Most people feel it’s weird playing with boys but for me it was habitual, I grew up playing Street football with boys and besides the physical attributes there is really no huge difference,we did the same exercise at training and the coach treated us as equals. Playing with the boys in the Hopsol Youth League really helped me to build character as a player especially as a left back.”
“During school breaks my twin sister and I usually played seven aside games at school with the boys,one of the male teachers at school noticed and enrolled us in the school team. We played in the school team in the NFA Galz and Goals League before moving to Kasoana Academy,since the first day I started playing football, I knew I wanted to play for the Gladiators.Playing for the Gladiators is playing football at the highest level in the country and that is what every player aspires to.
Paulus Shipanga will be assisted by Mervin Mbakera while Herman Januarie is the Goalkeeper Coach, Alfred “Alfie” Ndyenge is the Fitness Coach.