Namibia to camp in Ghana ahead of Niger clash

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday May 11, 2016. 12:31

Namibia head coach Ricardo Mannetti has begun preparations for the 2017 CAF African Cup of Nations Qualifiers as well as the 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup.

According to the Namibian Football Association's official website, Mannetti has called 17 players for a two-week training camp at the Lizzy Sports centre in Accra, Ghana.

The Brave Warriors are scheduled to meet Niger in the Group K tie on 4 June ,in Windhoek, before facing Senegal away in September.

However, they will first start with the defence of their COSAFA title; they claimed in South Africa last year. They clash with Botswana in the quarterfinal stage of the competition on 18 June.

“First up is the AFCON qualifiers where we need to get good results in our final two games. Niger will be tough as they have the same aim for the group of finishing second and so we have to prepare well and do our best as well,” said Mannetti.

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“It will be an ideal consolation if we can finish second in the AFCON Qualifiers.”

Speaking about the upcoming regional tournament hosted by the Brave Warriors: Mannetti insists they are planning to retain their trophy, but admits the Zebras will be a tricky customer.

“We are taking the Cosafa cup defence very seriously and we know that competition is more fierce then last year for obvious reasons,” adds Mannetti.

“We will play Botswana and you know their league has grown in leaps and bounds and for us it’s about good preparations and that’s why I take these players to Ghana.

“Our league finished two weeks ago and we need to keep them active and fit.”

It is also announced that the team will return home on 23 May and will be joined by foreign-based players for a final team selection ahead of the Niger tussle.