Namibia coach Mannetti lashes at Katjiukua & Stephanus

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Monday Jun 06, 2016. 13:02

Information coming out of Namibia is that the Brave Warriors coach, Ricardo Mannetti, has lambasted his experienced player Chris Katjiukua and Willy Stephanus

It is reported that the Lamontville Golden Arrows player in the South African Premier Soccer League was given special leave from Tuesday last week to return on Friday, but the player came back on Monday.

The Namibian Football Association's website also has it that Stephanus has asked to be excused from camp as he is attending trials in Vietnam.

Katjiukua was suspended for the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations match against Niger on Saturday, but Mannetti was left disappointed with the player's behaviour.

“I allowed him to attend to some personal matters but he failed to report for camp on Friday and only came on Monday morning,” said Mannetti.

SHALULILE HANDS NAMIBIA WIN

“To me this is again very unacceptable since no reasons where given for the extension of this stay-away and this not good for team morale.

“I need my senior players to lead by example and for all players to respect team protocol. Players need to show respect to the nation at all times.

“He (Stephanus) informed the technical team and we agreed to release him as we cannot have players who are not 100 percent committed to the team mentally.

“We have to work with players we have and who are ready to play. Between now and 25 June, we do not need any distractions or ill-discipline in this team.”

The COSAFA Castle Cup hosts and defending champions are set to meet Malawi this Wednesday in a friendly as they prepare for the regional tournament.

Meanwhile, it's also revealed that the Namibians will also play Chipolopolo of Zambia on Sunday for another friendly before meeting the Zebras of Botswana on June 18 for COSAFA.