WINDHOEK – Brave Warriors mentor Ricardo Mannetti has quelled any suggestion that his team will adopt a defensive approach when they confront Congo in Point Noire in the decisive final leg of their 2015 AFCON preliminary on Sunday.
The Warriors take a narrow one-goal cushion into the crucial encounter and will need a draw to go through to the final round of the qualification berth into the group proper.
The travelling entourage jets out of the country tomorrow minus the experienced pair of striker Henrico Botes and midfielder Lazarus Kaimbi for the must-win clash after the pair was withdrawn through club football commitments.
It has been learned that the date does not fall within the FIFA calendar of international dates. In the meantime, the technical team has released two goalkeepers Charles Uirab and Edward Maova – leaving Virgil Vries and Max ‘Slimkat’ Mbaeva the only shot stoppers in the squad.
The trimmed down 18-member squad reads as follows: Max Mbaeva, Virgil Vries, Dudes Mwedihanga, Denzil Haoseb, Da Costa Angula, Ananias Gebhardt, Stigga Ketjijere, Freedom Puriza, Emilio Martin, Willy Stephanus, Ballack Somaeb, Neville Tjiueza, Shoes Shitembi, Heini Isaacks, Rudolf Bester, Jerome Louis, Tangeni Shipahu and Dennis Tjetjinda.
Rammies and United do battle in match of convenience
Former Black Africa and Liverpool lethal goal poacher and incumbent coach of Rundu outfit United Stars, Dawid Snewe, has promised to put behind them the disappointment of their recent shock defeat against minnows Citizens in the semifinal of the Bidvest Cup when they visit Ramblers this weekend.
United are safely lodged in mid-table of the 12 team MTC Premiership log standings with 23 points from a possible 63 and are eager to finish the season on a high when they confront the Tunschel Street Boys in a mid-table clash at the Ramblers field in Windhoek tomorrow at 15h00.
The tie is the only MTC Premiership match scheduled for this weekend with all other matches having been postponed due to the Brave Warriors’ involvement in the preliminary round of the CAF AFCON preliminary against Congo in Brazzaville, tomorrow.
By Carlos Kambaekwa