Moment of truth has arrived
The nation's eyes are on the Brave Warriors and gaffer Ricardo Mannetti as they take on one of their most important matches tomorrow.
The moment of truth has arrived as Ricardo Mannetti will once again be tested as his charges prepare to clash with Chipolopolo in the Afcon 2019 qualifier match on Saturday.
Hope for a berth at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt rests on the shoulders of Brave Warriors gaffer, Ricardo Mannetti, as his side readies to clash with the Copper Bullets of Zambia tomorrow in Lusaka at the National Heroes Stadium.
Mannetti is the hero football fans look to in order to bring back the glory days to the Warriors' side who last took part in the competition in 2008.
“It's now or never. We are finally here. Project 2019 is finally about to be decided. It will be one match in Lusaka where we have to do our best to realise both our dreams and our destiny.
“So much work, so much pain over the years and in recent times, and we are finally here, only one match left,” Mannetti said.
The team left for Lusaka yesterday from South Africa where they were training and despite the fact that some players were supposed to be dropped ahead of the clash, it was decided otherwise.
“All 26 players in camp will travel to Lusaka from which 18 will be drawn and the rest will be the supporting cast for the grand finale of a possible wonderful journey to Egypt.
“These boys deserve to be around and to support each other. We are family. Team spirit and harmony is much more important and has been key in our campaign.
“The boys understand the task at hand and the technical team has worked very hard to prepare them for the battle on Saturday,” said Mannetti.
If Namibia happens to beat Zambia, Mannetti, who has been at the helm of the Warriors since 2013, will add another accomplishment to his list as he not only scooped the Cosafa 2015 Cup title, but also took the country to the African Nations Championship last year.
“I really hope that he will pull another surprise and lead the country to the 32nd edition of Afcon.
“The task is however not an easy one as Zambia has pulled a strong squad, but to be honest, Mannetti is capable of doing it,” said loyal fan Paul Timoteus.
Mannetti, who was a regular in the Warriors squad until 2003 and his players have the backing of the President Hage Geingob.
“I'm confident of a win in Lusaka to take us to Afcon 2019 in Egypt. The whole nation is behind the Warriors. Finish the job you have started,” Geingob said on Twitter on Wednesday.
Mannetti, whose contract expires in July, also depends on this win to motivate his contract extension.
Hilda Basson-Namundjebo, chairperson of the Fifa Normalisation Committee, said they will sit down and discuss his contract.
“It is not my decision alone so we will sit and apply ourselves on the way forward soon,” she said.
“We are definitely going to win tomorrow and then we will focus on other international tournaments coming up,” an upbeat Basson-Namundjebo said.
Mannetti played international football under the national team from 1994 to 2003. In 2005 he joined South Africa's Santos football club. From 2007 to 2008 he coached Civics in the Namibia Premier League and then moved on to coach Black Africa in 2009.
He was the assistant coach of the senior national team as well as head coach of the national under-20 team before taking up his current role.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 18:30.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Hope for a berth at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt rests on the shoulders of Brave Warriors gaffer, Ricardo Mannetti, as his side readies to clash with the Copper Bullets of Zambia tomorrow in Lusaka at the National Heroes Stadium.
Mannetti is the hero football fans look to in order to bring back the glory days to the Warriors' side who last took part in the competition in 2008.
“It's now or never. We are finally here. Project 2019 is finally about to be decided. It will be one match in Lusaka where we have to do our best to realise both our dreams and our destiny.
“So much work, so much pain over the years and in recent times, and we are finally here, only one match left,” Mannetti said.
The team left for Lusaka yesterday from South Africa where they were training and despite the fact that some players were supposed to be dropped ahead of the clash, it was decided otherwise.
“All 26 players in camp will travel to Lusaka from which 18 will be drawn and the rest will be the supporting cast for the grand finale of a possible wonderful journey to Egypt.
“These boys deserve to be around and to support each other. We are family. Team spirit and harmony is much more important and has been key in our campaign.
“The boys understand the task at hand and the technical team has worked very hard to prepare them for the battle on Saturday,” said Mannetti.
If Namibia happens to beat Zambia, Mannetti, who has been at the helm of the Warriors since 2013, will add another accomplishment to his list as he not only scooped the Cosafa 2015 Cup title, but also took the country to the African Nations Championship last year.
“I really hope that he will pull another surprise and lead the country to the 32nd edition of Afcon.
“The task is however not an easy one as Zambia has pulled a strong squad, but to be honest, Mannetti is capable of doing it,” said loyal fan Paul Timoteus.
Mannetti, who was a regular in the Warriors squad until 2003 and his players have the backing of the President Hage Geingob.
“I'm confident of a win in Lusaka to take us to Afcon 2019 in Egypt. The whole nation is behind the Warriors. Finish the job you have started,” Geingob said on Twitter on Wednesday.
Mannetti, whose contract expires in July, also depends on this win to motivate his contract extension.
Hilda Basson-Namundjebo, chairperson of the Fifa Normalisation Committee, said they will sit down and discuss his contract.
“It is not my decision alone so we will sit and apply ourselves on the way forward soon,” she said.
“We are definitely going to win tomorrow and then we will focus on other international tournaments coming up,” an upbeat Basson-Namundjebo said.
Mannetti played international football under the national team from 1994 to 2003. In 2005 he joined South Africa's Santos football club. From 2007 to 2008 he coached Civics in the Namibia Premier League and then moved on to coach Black Africa in 2009.
He was the assistant coach of the senior national team as well as head coach of the national under-20 team before taking up his current role.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 18:30.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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