Mannetti snubs Comoros talks
Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti says it is too early to talk about their next opponents in the CHAN qualifiers.
The coach has chosen to shy away from his side's plans ahead of the clash with Comoros Islands in the last round of the qualifiers.
Namibia mastered a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Zimbabwe on Sunday to advance to the final round of the 2018 CHAN qualifiers where they will face the surprise package Comoro Islands.
The islanders are not to be taken lightly as they beat Lesotho 2-1 on aggregate over the weekend to secure a spot in the final.
Mannetti, who spoke from Zimbabwe, said that it was too soon to talk about the team's plans going forward in the tournament.
According to the Zimbabwe Chronicle newspaper, at a press conference held after the game against Zimbabwe Mannetti said the team played a very good Zimbabwean side that was in much better shape than his team.
“I think Zimbabwe were better than us, however our hunger was stronger than them. The mentality won us this round. We wanted it more than them. The boys defended well, created chances and that was very brave of them. When Immanuel Heita scored that penalty we could not contain ourselves.”
He also said that Zimbabwe were the firm favorites but lacked the kind of spirit that was demonstrated by his side which featured players that have not known domestic football for over a year because of challenges.
“Zimbabwe was good technically. They have a running league and even dropped some players who took part in Cosafa to bring in Caps United players who played in the Champions league. We don't even have clubs playing in the champions League for that matter,” he said.
In the match Zimbabwe managed to score first through Prince Dube, ending the game in their favour. The two countries stood 1-1 on aggregate after two legs and this resulted in the two nations going into a penalty shootout to decide who would progress to the next stage of qualifiers.
Petrus Shitembi, Hendrick Somaeb, Riaan Hanamub scored to keep the Braves Warriors in the shootout and then substitute goalkeeper Edward Maova, having replaced the injured Lodyt Kazapua in the second half, kept his cool and saved Zimbabwe's fourth penalty.
Dynamo Fredericks then scored to make it 4-3 and Zimbabwe scored their final penalty to make it 4-4 and then up stepped Immanuel Heita for his moment in the sun. The Black Africa midfielder, a substitute as well, slotted the goal home.
The two nations will meet on 11 August and then again in the second leg on 18 August in Windhoek.
The winner from the two nations will qualify for 2018 CHAN competition to be held in Kenya from 11 January to 2 February.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
The coach has chosen to shy away from his side's plans ahead of the clash with Comoros Islands in the last round of the qualifiers.
Namibia mastered a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Zimbabwe on Sunday to advance to the final round of the 2018 CHAN qualifiers where they will face the surprise package Comoro Islands.
The islanders are not to be taken lightly as they beat Lesotho 2-1 on aggregate over the weekend to secure a spot in the final.
Mannetti, who spoke from Zimbabwe, said that it was too soon to talk about the team's plans going forward in the tournament.
According to the Zimbabwe Chronicle newspaper, at a press conference held after the game against Zimbabwe Mannetti said the team played a very good Zimbabwean side that was in much better shape than his team.
“I think Zimbabwe were better than us, however our hunger was stronger than them. The mentality won us this round. We wanted it more than them. The boys defended well, created chances and that was very brave of them. When Immanuel Heita scored that penalty we could not contain ourselves.”
He also said that Zimbabwe were the firm favorites but lacked the kind of spirit that was demonstrated by his side which featured players that have not known domestic football for over a year because of challenges.
“Zimbabwe was good technically. They have a running league and even dropped some players who took part in Cosafa to bring in Caps United players who played in the Champions league. We don't even have clubs playing in the champions League for that matter,” he said.
In the match Zimbabwe managed to score first through Prince Dube, ending the game in their favour. The two countries stood 1-1 on aggregate after two legs and this resulted in the two nations going into a penalty shootout to decide who would progress to the next stage of qualifiers.
Petrus Shitembi, Hendrick Somaeb, Riaan Hanamub scored to keep the Braves Warriors in the shootout and then substitute goalkeeper Edward Maova, having replaced the injured Lodyt Kazapua in the second half, kept his cool and saved Zimbabwe's fourth penalty.
Dynamo Fredericks then scored to make it 4-3 and Zimbabwe scored their final penalty to make it 4-4 and then up stepped Immanuel Heita for his moment in the sun. The Black Africa midfielder, a substitute as well, slotted the goal home.
The two nations will meet on 11 August and then again in the second leg on 18 August in Windhoek.
The winner from the two nations will qualify for 2018 CHAN competition to be held in Kenya from 11 January to 2 February.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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