Katupose cherishes moment
Brave Warriors forward Muna Katupose booked a place for the team in the 2018 CHAN tournament after scoring a brace at a packed Sam Nujoma Stadium on Sunday.
Namibia's forward Muna Katupose is in a jovial mood after his team's 2-0 win against Comoros in the return leg of their third-round match of the CHAN qualifier.
The team was dealt a 2-1 defeat in Moroni, Comoros a few weeks ago but came back to score two goals courtesy of Katupose, who said that he could not sleep after scoring the winning goals.
The trickster who headed in both goals after coming in as a super sub said that he knew he was going to score as he had already told his teammates that he would carry them through to Kenya, as he did in 2007 when he scored for the Brave Warriors taking them through to the 2008 Nations Cup.
“I told them that I will take them through to CHAN. It seemed like a joke at first but when I got on to the field I knew what I had to do. I gave the Comoros defenders trouble and later on I could see that they were scared as they did not allow me any space to move,” the player said.
Namibia's senior national team started the game on a strong note, attacking the defence of the Comorans but the visitors tried to hold on to their lead, leading the game to a 0-0 halftime score.
Coach Ricardo Manetti made the right change in the second half, bringing in Katupose and Benjamin Nenkavu for Immanuel Heita and Itumunua Keimuine.
Mannetti said Katupose proved all his critics wrong with those two brilliant goals.
“I made a good substitution with Katupose. A lot of people said that Katupose was too old and that he won't cut it. But I put him on in the second half. He was not of the fittest players in training but I made it my mission to get him ready. Captain Ronald Ketjijere also outdid himself, he showed his maturity and composure on the pitch, that's what I expect from him always,” said Mannetti.
The Warriors could have scored more goals but chances were missed. In the end they secured a comfortable victory though.
Petrus Shitembi and Ketjijere also impressed and gave the Comoros midfielders tough time with their speed and trickery.
So much so that the fans threw beer cans onto the field; action not applauded by Frans Mbidi, president of the Namibia Football Association (NFA).
Mbidi said fans should not emulate bad behaviour and respect countries who visit to play football. “We will receive penalties and it's not cheap. If this behaviour continues we will be instructed to play in empty fields. Fans should behave and stop this bad behaviour.”
The NFA president also presented Brave Warriors mascot Robbie Savage's family with a shirt signed by all the players as the match was played in remembrance of the team's number one supporter who passed away last month.
The CHAN championship will be held in Kenya from 11 January to 2 February next year.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
The team was dealt a 2-1 defeat in Moroni, Comoros a few weeks ago but came back to score two goals courtesy of Katupose, who said that he could not sleep after scoring the winning goals.
The trickster who headed in both goals after coming in as a super sub said that he knew he was going to score as he had already told his teammates that he would carry them through to Kenya, as he did in 2007 when he scored for the Brave Warriors taking them through to the 2008 Nations Cup.
“I told them that I will take them through to CHAN. It seemed like a joke at first but when I got on to the field I knew what I had to do. I gave the Comoros defenders trouble and later on I could see that they were scared as they did not allow me any space to move,” the player said.
Namibia's senior national team started the game on a strong note, attacking the defence of the Comorans but the visitors tried to hold on to their lead, leading the game to a 0-0 halftime score.
Coach Ricardo Manetti made the right change in the second half, bringing in Katupose and Benjamin Nenkavu for Immanuel Heita and Itumunua Keimuine.
Mannetti said Katupose proved all his critics wrong with those two brilliant goals.
“I made a good substitution with Katupose. A lot of people said that Katupose was too old and that he won't cut it. But I put him on in the second half. He was not of the fittest players in training but I made it my mission to get him ready. Captain Ronald Ketjijere also outdid himself, he showed his maturity and composure on the pitch, that's what I expect from him always,” said Mannetti.
The Warriors could have scored more goals but chances were missed. In the end they secured a comfortable victory though.
Petrus Shitembi and Ketjijere also impressed and gave the Comoros midfielders tough time with their speed and trickery.
So much so that the fans threw beer cans onto the field; action not applauded by Frans Mbidi, president of the Namibia Football Association (NFA).
Mbidi said fans should not emulate bad behaviour and respect countries who visit to play football. “We will receive penalties and it's not cheap. If this behaviour continues we will be instructed to play in empty fields. Fans should behave and stop this bad behaviour.”
The NFA president also presented Brave Warriors mascot Robbie Savage's family with a shirt signed by all the players as the match was played in remembrance of the team's number one supporter who passed away last month.
The CHAN championship will be held in Kenya from 11 January to 2 February next year.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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