WINDHOEK – Gone are the days when ineffective footballers would just walk into the national senior football team without having to shed a drop of sweat, gone are the days when players would be selected on reputation rather than merit.
Brave Warriors mentor, Ricardo ‘Bucksy’ Mannetti, is a man on a mission and says he will no longer select players for the national team if they don’t enjoy sufficient game time with their respective clubs.
Mannetti announced a 23-member squad containing a mixture of emerging youngsters and some of the currently active old guard who command regular places at their respective clubs. To demonstrate his seriousness, the former Civics and Santos (SA) holding midfielder, left out a significant chunk of players from local leading clubs.
“It’s of utmost importance that we start implementing drastic changes to our selection policy going forward. Since we are in a rebuilding process, there is an urgent need to introduce new blood but that does not mean we will make wholesale changes”.
Mannettit and his technical stuff are determined to build a competitive side for the upcoming Olympic Qualifiers and to achieve that, they need to put their ducks in the row.
“The time is ripe now to groom energetic young footballers who are more hungrier for success and this can only be achieved if we integrate them gradually into the system with the more experienced players, notably the professionals”.
There is a recall for veteran strikers Rudolf Bester and Henrico Botes, who both appear to have rediscovered their goal scoring form after joining new clubs in the South African Professional Soccer League (PSL) at the start of the current term.
Regular starters, Heini Isaacks, Tangeni Shipahu, Petrus Shitembi, Neville Tjiueza, Denzil Haoseb and Awilo Stephanus are among those who missed out for selection as a result of their inactivity.
Injured burly defender Dacosta Angula, is another notable absentee while resurgent shot stopper Virgil Vries, was given a breather to cement his place between the sticks for his (PSL) club Martizburg United.
The much traveled dreadlocked net-guard has been a revelation of late and looks destined to wrestle the number one jersey from Shaub Walters, if his recent exploits are anything to go by. The 23-member squad for the international friendly against Swaziland on the 10th of this month in Windhoek reads as follows:
Slimkat Mbaeva, Ted Maova, Donovan Gaunub, Chris Katjiukua, Dudes Mwedihanga, Ivan Kamberipa, Utapi Ngaruka, Tjiuana Tjinotjiua, Ben Nekavu, Peter Shalulile, Enrico Hoabeb, Marius Kotze, Chester Stanley, Wangu Gomes, Leroy Adams, Aubrey Amseb, Stigga Ketjijere, Deon Hotto, Lazza Kaimbi, Rudolf Bester, Henrico Botes, Itamuna Keimuine and Hendri Duwe.