WINDHOEK – Despite facing the daunting task of first negotiating their way past Congo-Brazzaville in the 2015 Confederations of African Football (CAF) Nations Cup preliminary round before probably taking on African Champions Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan in the group stages in pursuit of a place at the AFCON finals in Morocco, Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti is untroubled by the draw and says passion will be key for Namibia.
Mannetti was reacting to the 2015 AFCON qualifications draw held in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday. Namibia will face Congo-Brazzaville on May 17 in Windhoek before the return leg in Brazzaville on May 31. The aggregate winners will advance to the 2nd round where they take on either Libya or Rwanda. The winner from the 2nd round will then advance to the group stages where Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan will be awaiting them. Mannetti says, the Brave Warriors have come a long way in the past two years and will have to focus fully on their first preliminary round tie against Congo before shifting their attention to the second round and probably the Group-A ties against Sudan, Nigeria and South Africa. “We have to start at the beginning. People should not be talking about Nigeria and South Africa now. We have to face Congo and I knew from the start that it was going to be a tough draw. We have to play well and get the goals at home against Congo, because it will not be easy in Brazzaville,” says Mannetti.
“I don’t know much but I know that they (Congo) have players in France and they are a good side. We have a chance to play them and a chance to overcome them as well and I believe the first leg being at home will be such an advantage that we have to take control off. The team will be ready, the supporters must just come out and rally behind the team. The players need to have passion and a hunger to win,” according to Mannetti.
By Staff Reporter