Warriors’ busy year gains intensity
Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti yesterday finished his assessment of training squads from which he’ll select players to represent Namibia in the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers.
The coach will now turn his attention to getting ready for this year’s Cosafa Cup, with another set of players due to start a training camp on Monday.
Speaking to nfa.org.na after training at the Sam Nujoma Stadium yesterday morning, Mannetti expressed satisfaction with the talent displayed during the three weeks he had spent with the different training groups.
“I have had a number of players to assess and they have all really pushed themselves to catch the eye,” he said.
“We can only have a limited number of players but it is motivating for me as a coach to see that we have quite a good pool of players who are ready to play for the team whenever they get a call,” Mannetti said.
The coach said some players have been in all three training groups due to various issues.
“Some players have been with me since the first week and others not, due to club commitments and injuries... But overall the idea has worked and I have seen enough players.
“Now I have to call up the Cosafa team and we will have one week here before going to Pretoria where foreign-based players will join us and we’ll continue for a week there before getting down to business in Moruleng (South Africa).”
Namibia is paired to play against Zambia in the first round of CHAN qualifiers.
The Brave Warriors will host the first leg on June 19-21 with the return leg slated for July 3-5 in Lusaka.
Should Namibia beat Zambia, they will take on the team that comes out victorious between Mozambique and Seychelles for a place at next year’s CHAN competition, which will take place in Rwanda.
In the Cosafa Cup, Namibia will play Seychelles in their opening match (May 17) before taking on Mauritius two days later (May 19).
They will conclude their group fixtures against Zimbabwe on May 21.
Players in camp yesterday: Willy Stephanus, Ananias Gebhardt and Heinrich Isaacks (all Black Africa), Charles Uirab, Valton van Staden, Brian Gurirab and Nicky Musambani (Orlando Pirates), Wangu Gome, Peter Steven and Sadney Urikhob (all Civics), Benyamin Nenkavu, Kennedy Amutenya, Absalom Iimbondi, Lloyd Kazapua (all Tigers), Dennis Tjetjinda, Edwin Korukove, Ferdinand Karongee, Robert Nganjone and Joslin Kamatuka (all African Stars) Alfons Xoagub (Julinho Sporting ), Miguel Manaza (United Stars), Edward Amugongo (Young Chiefs) and Joseph Kuugongelwa (Unam FC).
WINDHOEK-NFA.ORG.NA
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