Warriors hunt Bissau's scalp
The Brave Warriors return to the international football scene with most of their players raring for game time.
The Brave Warriors and Guinea-Bissau begin their quest in the Afcon qualifiers when they cross paths in Guinea-Bissau on Saturday.
The national team spent a few days training in Ghana as they prepared for their first biggest assignment of the year.
It will be the first time the two nations face-off on international level in what promises to be a cracker of a game.
Namibian players who ply their trade in neighbouring countries and could not travel with the team to Ghana for training have finally joined the team according to gaffer Ricardo Mannetti. “Players like Petrus Shitembi, Willem Mwedihanga and Benson Shilongo have joined the team. They trained with the team after joining late following their club commitments over the weekend,” Manetti said.
“Wangu Gome also joined the training session after he sat out the friendly matches that we played in Ghana and Captain Ronald Ketjijere will join the team on Friday.”
The 2015 Cosafa Cup-winning mentor expressed his satisfaction with the players saying that spirits were high and that players were eager to face their opponents. Opponents whom he regards as the biggest threat to the extension of his employment contract, considering that his performance is tied to whether or not he will get Namibia to the 2019 finals.
Mannetti, who spoke from Guinea, said they expect a tough game but remained focused on a favourable result and will put in 100% as it is a once-off game for the team. “They must not be taken lightly and we have seriously studied them very well. It is important how we rally against them to get the necessary result.”
He said that their rivals will be playing at home in front of their supporters, who will give them the extra edge but was again quick to note that his team is capable of handling the situation as they are experienced and know their duty.
The Warriors are competing in Group K, against Zambia, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau.
Mannetti's team is ranked 94th on the FIFA World rankings whilst Guinea-Bissau trails behind as they are ranked 116. After Saturday's match the team will again focus their energy on the annual cup in South Africa later this month.
Limba Mupetami
The national team spent a few days training in Ghana as they prepared for their first biggest assignment of the year.
It will be the first time the two nations face-off on international level in what promises to be a cracker of a game.
Namibian players who ply their trade in neighbouring countries and could not travel with the team to Ghana for training have finally joined the team according to gaffer Ricardo Mannetti. “Players like Petrus Shitembi, Willem Mwedihanga and Benson Shilongo have joined the team. They trained with the team after joining late following their club commitments over the weekend,” Manetti said.
“Wangu Gome also joined the training session after he sat out the friendly matches that we played in Ghana and Captain Ronald Ketjijere will join the team on Friday.”
The 2015 Cosafa Cup-winning mentor expressed his satisfaction with the players saying that spirits were high and that players were eager to face their opponents. Opponents whom he regards as the biggest threat to the extension of his employment contract, considering that his performance is tied to whether or not he will get Namibia to the 2019 finals.
Mannetti, who spoke from Guinea, said they expect a tough game but remained focused on a favourable result and will put in 100% as it is a once-off game for the team. “They must not be taken lightly and we have seriously studied them very well. It is important how we rally against them to get the necessary result.”
He said that their rivals will be playing at home in front of their supporters, who will give them the extra edge but was again quick to note that his team is capable of handling the situation as they are experienced and know their duty.
The Warriors are competing in Group K, against Zambia, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau.
Mannetti's team is ranked 94th on the FIFA World rankings whilst Guinea-Bissau trails behind as they are ranked 116. After Saturday's match the team will again focus their energy on the annual cup in South Africa later this month.
Limba Mupetami
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