WINDHOEK – Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti has suffered a heavy blow after a few of his key players withdrew from the initial 23-member squad scheduled to face Tanzania in an international friendly match tomorrow at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek.
Mannetti will have to steer his team without midfielder Manfred Starke, Rudolph Bester and Heinrich Isaacks after the trio withdrew from the Warriors squad due to nagging injuries, lack of fitness and club commitments. It was late yesterday revealed that Heinrich Isaacks, who plies his trade with Maritzburg United in South Africa withdrew due to a niggling hamstring injury, while striker Rudolph Bester was also released earlier by South African club Golden Arrows FC together with club mates Deon Hotto and Chris Katjiukua, but Bester later announced his unavailability for the Brave Warriors citing the lack of match fitness.
As for German-based midfielder Manfred Starke, who plays for Hansa Rostock, his call-up to the national team has been deemed a bit too late by his club since the Hansa Rostock coach said most of the club’s key players are unfit therefore Starke’s service is very much needed at this point in time. Uncertainty also hangs over veteran striker Henrico Botes who plays for Platinum Stars in South Africa after he was initially released, but was later recalled due to an upcoming league match to be played this coming Friday. “The two coaches have spoken about the availability of Botes and could not reach an agreement, so we have written to Safa and Fifa to intervene in the matter as per Fifa rules and regulations. We are waiting for their response as the coach wants him here, but we are confident he will come,” said Brave Warriors team manager Tim Isaacks.
In the aftermath of all these withdrawal woes, Mannetti has called up Tangeni Shipahu (based in Thailand) and locals Eric Kahua and Ananias Gebhardt to the squad, in a bid to add more depth. The Taifa Stars, as the Tanzanians are affectionately known were in Windhoek late yesterday already. Tickets for the match will cost N$40 at all Computicket outlets at Shoprite and Checkers stores countrywide.
By Otniel Hembapu