Gurirab calls for patience, eyes more goals

By Michael Uugwanga

LAST season’s MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) top goal scorer Issaskar‘Bio’ Gurirab has called for patience from Namibian fans, saying it is just a matter of time before he starts scoring again for the Brave Warriors, as he did for Life Fighters last season.

Gurirab has so far scored two goals for the Brave Warriors at the Councils of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) Senior Challenge against Malawi and Seychelles, but failed to score at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON),he was however a second-half substitute against Ivory Coast in a 4-1 loss and against South Africa in a 1-0 defeat.

Gurirab has reportedly scored 22 goals, according to the NPL, but  said he has scored 24 goals, as his two goals against Tigers and against Okahandja United in the second round were not recorded.

On Saturday, the Brave Warriors will welcome Madagascar at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in their second leg tie of the final round to the 2020 Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament that will be held in Cameroon.

Speaking to Confidente ahead of the crunch match against  Madagascar, Gurirab has called for calm from Namibian fans, saying he will soon start scoring goals if given the opportunity to start.

“I did not play in the first leg away to Madagascar because I was out injured. I had a groin injury but I am fine now, that is why I was just called back into the national team a week and a half ago. I will make use of my chances if given the opportunity to play. If chances come in front of me I will surely make use of them.

“My best moment so far was at the COSAFA Cup when I scored two goals but I thought I did not do enough as it was my first tournament for Namibia. Against South Africa I did well when I came off from the bench and had a chance to score.

“Ivory Coast match was not good because the players’ spirit was down as we were already behind with lots of goals. Last season I scored 24 goals and not 22 goals. The NPL just missed to record my two goals I scored against Tigers and Okahandja United,” said Gurirab.

Gurirab (21) also paid tribute to former Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti, whom he said has improved his game even  though he never really worked under him for a long time and is currently enjoying the training method of Brave Warriors stand-in coach Bobby Samaria.

“Under Mannetti we played more defensively as he requires everyone to defend together and to attack together, which is something that I have learned a lot [from], while under Samaria he encourages us to play with own freedom as he is more of an attacking minded coach.”

Gurirab, who is still contracted to first division outfit Golden Bees Football Club from Outjo, was not sure where he will play in the forthcoming season with parent club Golden Bees having the final say, although he had made no secret that he still wants to play in the NPL with Life Fighters.

“I am still a Golden Bees player as they have my papers. I was on loan at Life Fighters last season and that loan had ended. I still want to play in the NPL for Life Fighters. If Golden Bees refuse to let me go to Life Fighters then I would buy out my contract,” said Gurirab.