Mambas look to bite back
After Saturday's Afcon qualifier victory, the Brave Warriors will once again have to tame the Os Mambas of Mozambique tonight.
The Sam Nujoma Stadium will play host tonight to a sizzling encounter between the Brave Warriors and Os Mambas of Mozambique.
The stage has been set for this critical Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) encounter, after the Warriors beat Mozambique away this past weekend. They will be looking to capitalise at home, when the match kicks off at 19:00.
Both teams are looking to cement their positions in the Group K Afcon qualifier. Namibia will go into the match oozing confidence, after they defeated Os Mambas 2-1 in Maputo on Saturday.
History favours the home side, as they have never lost a match against Mozambique at home.
Mozambique, however, showed this past Saturday they can be a tough nut to crack, after they gave the Brave Warriors a tough time.
In terms of their head-to-head record, Namibia dominate their opponents with seven wins from 15 games.
Namibia has lost only three times against Os Mambas, with their five others matches ending in stalemates.
Guinea Bissau is currently leading Group K with seven points, followed by Namibia on four points.
Mozambique is in third place, also on four points, while Zambia is also on four points following a 1-2 defeat to Guinea Bissau on Sunday night.
All four teams have a chance of finishing top of the group and booking their place at the 2019 Afcon finals in Cameroon.
It is a group that could be decided on the last day of matches, given the current state of the log.
Namibia will now have to make their home advantage count and win tonight's match, which will bring them level on points with Guinea Bissau.
They will then also have to maximise their points from their last two qualifiers.
Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti emphasised the importance of not getting carried away with Saturday's victory.
“Tonight, we have a different game from the one in Maputo. Mozambique is a quality side that can play and we have to respect them and take them very seriously, like we did in Maputo,” he said.
The mentor said the team will maintain their same intensity and approach.
He said the team's objective is to score at least 10 points in the group, which could guarantee them a place at Africa's biggest football showpiece next year.
Mannetti praised his players for coming from behind to beat Mozambique away.
“For the first time in a long time our national team have won away from home and we did it in style.
“Coming from behind, showing character and giving a great response that eluded us all these years was amazing and now we need to build on that.
“Whatever we do as coaches, it is about perfecting tactics and the fans need to respect our tactical approach,” Mannetti added.
Tickets for tonight's match are selling for N$50 at Computicket outlets and NFA Football House.
The final home game for the Warriors will be against Guinea-Bissau between 12 and 20 November.
Namibia's last match will be against Zambia in March 2019.
The group winners and runners-up will qualify for the 32nd edition of the Total African Cup of Nations, to be hosted by Cameroon from 15 June to 13 July 2019.
Namibia is seeking their third appearance at the tournament, after having qualified for the 1998 and 2008 editions.
Football commentator Isack Hamata said it is important for the team to get it right.
“There is nothing else we need to do here but to win this match at all cost. Mozambique have never beaten us at home and we can't allow them to make history in this important clash,” Hamata said.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
The stage has been set for this critical Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) encounter, after the Warriors beat Mozambique away this past weekend. They will be looking to capitalise at home, when the match kicks off at 19:00.
Both teams are looking to cement their positions in the Group K Afcon qualifier. Namibia will go into the match oozing confidence, after they defeated Os Mambas 2-1 in Maputo on Saturday.
History favours the home side, as they have never lost a match against Mozambique at home.
Mozambique, however, showed this past Saturday they can be a tough nut to crack, after they gave the Brave Warriors a tough time.
In terms of their head-to-head record, Namibia dominate their opponents with seven wins from 15 games.
Namibia has lost only three times against Os Mambas, with their five others matches ending in stalemates.
Guinea Bissau is currently leading Group K with seven points, followed by Namibia on four points.
Mozambique is in third place, also on four points, while Zambia is also on four points following a 1-2 defeat to Guinea Bissau on Sunday night.
All four teams have a chance of finishing top of the group and booking their place at the 2019 Afcon finals in Cameroon.
It is a group that could be decided on the last day of matches, given the current state of the log.
Namibia will now have to make their home advantage count and win tonight's match, which will bring them level on points with Guinea Bissau.
They will then also have to maximise their points from their last two qualifiers.
Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti emphasised the importance of not getting carried away with Saturday's victory.
“Tonight, we have a different game from the one in Maputo. Mozambique is a quality side that can play and we have to respect them and take them very seriously, like we did in Maputo,” he said.
The mentor said the team will maintain their same intensity and approach.
He said the team's objective is to score at least 10 points in the group, which could guarantee them a place at Africa's biggest football showpiece next year.
Mannetti praised his players for coming from behind to beat Mozambique away.
“For the first time in a long time our national team have won away from home and we did it in style.
“Coming from behind, showing character and giving a great response that eluded us all these years was amazing and now we need to build on that.
“Whatever we do as coaches, it is about perfecting tactics and the fans need to respect our tactical approach,” Mannetti added.
Tickets for tonight's match are selling for N$50 at Computicket outlets and NFA Football House.
The final home game for the Warriors will be against Guinea-Bissau between 12 and 20 November.
Namibia's last match will be against Zambia in March 2019.
The group winners and runners-up will qualify for the 32nd edition of the Total African Cup of Nations, to be hosted by Cameroon from 15 June to 13 July 2019.
Namibia is seeking their third appearance at the tournament, after having qualified for the 1998 and 2008 editions.
Football commentator Isack Hamata said it is important for the team to get it right.
“There is nothing else we need to do here but to win this match at all cost. Mozambique have never beaten us at home and we can't allow them to make history in this important clash,” Hamata said.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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