Moment of truth

The Brave Warriors are standing on the cusp of Afcon 2019 qualification, and will in all probability be heading to Cameroon next year, should they beat Guinea-Bissau and at the Sam Nujoma Stadium tomorrow.Brave Warriors mentor Ricardo Mannetti implored his charges to do the unexpected when they meet Guinea-Bissau in a crucial Afcon Group K encounter in Windhoek.Both sides are seeking a win in order to qualify for Afcon 2019. In their first group encounter in June last year, Guinea-Bissau beat Namibia 1-0 away, but now the Warriors have set their eyes on turning the tables on the visitors.“Guinea will come to intimidate you. Just because you are smaller than them does not mean you should not fight back. Show them that you are at home. “Do the unexpected. If you are not good in the air, make sure you take up the challenge. If you are not good at tackling your opponent, make sure you do so,” Mannetti told the players during training yesterday.There will not be major changes to the team that defeated Mozambique home and away in October. Mannetti explained he has called up tried and tested players who are the core of the team, because it is an important match for the Warriors.Deon Hotto, who is nursing a hamstring injury, trained yesterday and looked in great form.Defender Chris Katjiukua has been roped in to replace Denzil Haoseb who is serving a one-match suspension after he was sent off against Mozambique last month.Also, making a return to the team is Immanuel Heita, who has been absent due to injury.Dynamic wingback Riaan Hanamub will miss the match, as his father passed away this week, while midfielder Wangu Gome will also miss the crucial tie, as he is nursing a knee injury. “The team will play for Hanamub,” Mannetti said.Namibia is second in the group, but level on seven points with Guinea-Bissau. Mozambique and Zambia are on four points each.Namibia is hoping to appear for the third time at the Afcon finals, and will play their last qualifier away to Zambia in March 2019.The home side is ranked 28th in Africa and 109th in the world, while Guinea-Bissau is ranked 30th in Africa and 119th in the world. The odds currently favour the Namibians.The group winner will qualify for the 32nd edition of the Afcon tourney scheduled for 15 June to 13 July 2019.The Warriors squad is as follows:Goalkeepers - Maximillian Mbaeva, Virgil Vries and Lloyd Kazapua.Defenders - Chris Katjiukua, Larry Horaeb, Teberius Lombard, Emilio Martin, Vitapi Ngaruka, Ananias Gebhardt and Immanuel Heita. Midfielders - Dynamo Fredricks, Petrus Shitembi, Ronald Ketjijere (captain), Absalom Iimbondi, Deon Hotto, Willy Stephanus and Marcel Papama. Strikers - Hendrik Somaeb, Muna Katupose, Sadney Urikhob, Benson Shilongo, Itamunua Keimuine and Peter Shalulile.

Moment of truth

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-05

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Moment of truth

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-05

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