WINDHOEK – Brave Warriors mentor Ricardo Mannetti has made a serious statement of intent in his no-holds-barred selection policy for tonight’s international friendly against Mozambique at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.
The former Warriors midfield anchorman has called up a formidable side to face the visiting Mambas in what promises to be an entertaining affair between the two Southern African nations.
However, Mannetti had to reshuffle his pack after freak injuries to some of his trusted soldiers with speedy striker Sadney Uri-Khob a definite non-starter after the Amazulu winger picked up a foot injury during training over the weekend.
Another casualty is Norwegian-based defender Miguel Hamutenya, who has been ruled out of tonight’s clash with a groin injury. Mannetti has called up Black Africa’s gangling striker Kumbee Katjiteo to replace Uri-Khob but did not make any re-enforcements in the back line because he believes he has enough cover for the injured Hamutenya.
“It’s very unfortunate that the boy got injured before he could make his senior debut. I was very impressed with what I have seen in training but we have to soldier on with what we have at our disposal,” said a highly charged-up Mannetti.
Good news for the Warriors followers is the arrival of free-scoring veteran striker Jerome “Crocodile” Louis and inspirational captain Stigga Ketjijere, who joined their team mates over the weekend.
“Both players looked sharp during training and I must confess I’m very pleased with their level of fitness. There is no doubt that the pair will add the much needed value and strength to our young and relatively inexperienced squad, so I remain hopeful their experience will rub off gently on the other players, especially the younger ones.”
African Stars overlapping fullback Dennis “Law” Tjetjinda is likely to get the nod ahead of other fringe members in the Warriors set-up to fill the right back position in place of the injured Larry Horaeb, while his team mate Athiel Mbaha could make a surprise return to the international arena between the sticks ahead of Tigers’ lanky shot-stopper Loyd Kazapua.
Up front, Botes is likely to spearhead the Warriors two-pronged attack alongside the versatile Petrus “Dancing Shoes” Shitembi, with the latter expected to fall slightly back in the hole between the main striker and the two central midfielders.
In the last outing between the two nations, the Warriors surprised friend and foe when they thumped the Mozambicans by three unanswered goals – only to bow out in the dreaded penalty shootout. Mannetti will have to do without almost half the team that started the match against the Mambas in the last meeting with the quartet of Riaan Cloete, Da Costa Angula, Denzil Haoseb, Epfaim Tjihonge and Deon Hotto all out through an assortment of injuries and unavailability, while Hotto is certain to start from the dugout.
Mannetti has urged football lovers to come out in large numbers and support the team as such a motivating gesture will have the desired effect as it can only spur the players to left their game.
“We have outlined a good game plan aimed at playing attractive attacking football while maintaining shape at the back – hence the least number of goals we conceded in our last couple of matches. We will go flat out in attack and with the experience of Botes upfront, I can’t see why we should not be able to put the ball away, given the dozens of goal-scoring chances we generally create.”
By Carlos Kambaekwa