‘Superior’ Congolese crush Brave Warriors

Congo’s national football team, the Diables Rouges (Red Devils), crushed Namibia’s Brave Warriors 3-0 in a one-sided Confederation of African Football (CAF) 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match in Pointe-Noire on Sunday. Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti said the Congolese were just “too superior” and they played magnificent football to win the match, which was the second leg of the CAF 2015 qualifier. Congolese striker Ganvoula Silvere opened the scoring in the 43rd minute of the first half, after a communication error in the Brave Warriors’ defence line between goalkeeper Virgil Vries and his two defenders, Da Costa Angula and Willem Mwedihanga. Two additional second-half goals from Ferebory Dore and substitute Ladislas Douniama ensured the Brave Warriors’ crushing exit out of the CAF Nations Cup qualifiers. After the game, Mannetti told Nampa that there were times during the match when he could not even recognise his own team. “Congo was superior, faster, and smarter... they outplayed us because their players came out fighting throughout the game. They were also stronger physically,” said Mannetti. The Namibian coach also said it was a great pity that his team failed to take advantage of at least three goal-scoring opportunities during the first half. Being out of the running for the 2015 CAF Nations Cup, the Brave Warriors will now turn their attention to the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup, which is to be hosted in Botswana this September. -Nampa