The women under-20 side training camp starts in earnest on Thursday as the Young Gladiators prepare for the FIFA World Cup qualifier first leg match at Ghana on February 18.

A squad of 25 players was announced this week in Namibia and includes seven under-17 players, as their girls vie for the final 18 players on the flight to Accra for the February 18 match. According to the NFA coach for women football Jacqueline Shipanga, the idea of including the under-17 players, who played during their u17 lost in South Africa on Saturday, stemmed from the Namibian footbal association NFA 2014 Strategic Plan which is aimed at broadening the pool of players for national team selection through talent identification and nurturing under the guidance of acute coaches as well. The new players into the team include the likes of Lena Noreses, Lorraine Jossob, and Albertha "Chicken" Dawes, who are deadly on a good day.

The training camp are already conducted by identified coaches who hold Coaching A-licenses from the Deuche Futball Band (DFB) and also NFA accredited qualification, accoeding to reliable source. These coaches are Joseph Swartz, Blacky Tjingaete and goalkeeper coach Herman January, the latter having played recently played for the SKW and Orlando Pirates in South Africa . Shipanga explains that these coaches have demonstrated the level of commitment towards the women’s desk through various projects during the past few years such as availing themselves to coach various local teams in the Women Super League. She adds that the most important aspect for consideration was that some of them (coaches) are also in the teaching profession and thus making it easier for them to work with girls and youth. Ghana should be very careful and put in all necessary srategies to tame this youthfull Namibians

Here is their women under 20 squad:

Agnes Kauzuu, Hertha Shimuketa, Janeth Shidolo, Jessica De Oliveira, Lovisa Mulunga, Eddelissingh Naris, Lena Noreses, Lorraine Jossob, Vitapamwe Kamahene, Veweziwa Kotjipati, Albertha Dawes, Thandi Malo, Annouscka Kordom, Anuschka Meyer, Mellisa Matheus, Tuliki Mundjele, Carmel Don, Tomalina Adams, Mavulu Selma, Vistorine Shaangula, Depney Naobes, Juliana Blou, Jane Toivo, Monique Khrone and Samantha Hendricks.