AFCON : Mannetti calls on senior players to lead

Former Brave Warriors head coach, Ricardo Mannetti, has called on senior national team players to guide the juniors as they prepare to face South Africa and Mali in their next group encounters at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Mannetti, who is in Korhogo as part of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) technical team experts during match commentaries, told Nampa that he was over the moon with Namibia’s achievement in their opening match, in which the team recorded a 1-0 victory against Tunisia on Tuesday.
‘Our match against Tunisia was well-structured, patient and we did not give up when we missed our chances, and that only comes with experience. Credit should be given to the technical team, Collin Benjamin and Ronny Kanalelo, and all the other technical team members,” he said.
The former coach, who could not hide his excitement, added that the victory Tuesday night for the Brave Warriors was not just an Africa Cup of Nations victory but a win for the project that has been a long time coming.
‘We are reaping the results. I am happy for every Namibian. The coach did very well with his substitution, bringing Bethuel Muzeu in, who was deliberate with his assist. He deliberately knew what he was going to do, and Deon Hotto brought his experience and big-match temperament, as well as Shalulile, working his socks off throughout the game. This is exciting.’
Despite the win on the day, Mannetti warned the players not to take their next opponent, South Africa, for granted after their loss to Mali.
“South Africa’s tactics didn’t work out on the day against Mali, but we should keep our feet on the ground as South Africa is going to study us and come back to work for that win. I, therefore, call on the likes of Nyambe (Ryan), Hotto, Shalulile (Peter), Gebhardt (Ananias), Lloyd (Kazapua), and Shitembi (Petrus) to advise these young players to keep their feet on the ground so that we don’t blow away this history that we have made as we still have Mali and South Africa to play in the competition,” said Mannetti, referring to South Africa’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mali on Tuesday evening.
Namibia is currently second in Group E, level on three points with Mali after one round of games. Namibia is scheduled to take on South Africa on Sunday in Korhogo, before flying to San Pedro, where they will play their last group game against Mali on Wednesday.
(NAMPA)
HK/HP/AS
(NAMPA)