'Warriors will prevail'

Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti says the team will advance from the group stages in the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament, which is slated for Morocco. He said this at the announcement of the 31-man training squad yesterday in Windhoek ahead of preparations for Chan. Namibia is in Group B with Ivory Coast, the firm favourites to top the group, Zambia and Uganda. The coach said it would be unwise for anyone to assume that Uganda or any other team does not know football because teams are improving every day. “Being an underdog does not mean we are weak, but it's a comfortable approach for the players. It worked when we played Zimbabwe with their pound for pound players who ply their trade for big names in England,” he said. However, he is positive that the Warriors will exit the group. “How I don't know, as I am not a fortune teller, but all I know is that we will,” he said. In preparation the team will play two training matches out of the country. He said they were negotiating with two teams. “I want us to face a West African team as there will be a similarity of how Ivory Coast plays.” With new faces in the squad, mostly from the under-20 setup, Mannetti said he wanted to add depth and to use the approach of an underdog as they are rookies going into the tournament. Mannetti brought in players like Calvyn Spiegel, who he said was fresh and impressed him; and Kennedy Eib and Hubert Mingeri, whom he wants to reward for the way they have been playing recently. Mannetti selected Jackson Johannes because he is left footed and it will be beneficial to have him in the team to help Riaan !Hanamub.He also roped in Gregory Auchumeb, who was in the squad when the Brave Warriors won Cosafa. “He has a bit of experience and knows what is expected of him. Kleopas Useb has been scoring goals and Penda Mongudhi is a fresh midfielder. Vitapi Ngaruka is strong and has speed and I want to see how he will supplement the back line. “It is up to them to impress for a position in the team. If they don't, we still remain with the core of the team,” the coach said. The team is expected to train at Soccer House the whole week and the team is to be trimmed to a 28-man squad which will be announced at the end of the week. The captain of the team, Ronald Ketjijere, said they were going to work hard and do well at Chan. “Pressure is always there. I am leading the team and want to bring my A game. “I want to make the players feel comfortable at all times by encouraging them behind the scene,” Ketjijere said. The team is expected to leave for Tunisia on 27 December where they will be camping. The tournament will be played over three weeks between 12 January and 4 February. The tournament brings together 16 national teams composed of local players playing in the national leagues of their respective countries.Training squad names: Edward Maova, Charles Uirab, Loydt Kazapua, Calvyn Spiegel, Ferdinard Karongee, Kennedy Eib, Tjiuana –Tja Tjatindi, Hubert Mingeri, Charles Hambira, Edmund Kambanda, Martin Emilio, Tiberuis Lombard, Vitapi Punyu Ngaruka, Riaan !Hanamub, Gregory Auchumeb, Imannuel Heita, Dynamo Fredericks, Oswaldo Xamseb, Penda Mongudhi, Ronald Ketjijere, Wangu Gome, Petrus Shitembi, Absalom Iimbondi, Jackson Johannes, Himeezembi Hengombe, Muna Katupose, Roger Katjiteo,Junias Theophilus, Panduleni Nekundi, Hendrik Somaeb and Kleopas Useb.LIMBA MUPETAMI

'Warriors will prevail'

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-02

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'Warriors will prevail'

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-02

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