Namibia's Mannetti rues Angula's injury

Namibia's Mannetti rues Angula's injury
Ronnie Kanalelo with Ricardo Mannetti

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday Jun 22, 2016. 11:13

Namibia have suffered a setback following their 3-0 win in the 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup Plate semifinals, with news that they will be without defender Da Costa Angula for Friday's final.

The Brave Warriors defeated Mozambique on Tuesday night courtesy of goals from Itamanua Keimuine, Deon Hotto and Hendrick Somaeb, but will now miss the services of the outgoing Free State Stars centre back.

It is reported that the 2015 champions and hosts will miss the 29-year-old due to a recurring Achilles tendon injury.

The injury resurfaced after their 5-4 defeat on penalties to the Zebras of Botswana on Saturday and coach Ricardo Mannetti has lamented the blow.

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“It’s bad news to lose a defender of his calibre at this stage but we have to move on as well. This is a real test of our character as a team and we need to soldier on,” said Mannetti.

“We want to finish on a high and Da Costa could have helped us achieve that but we now have to do without him and wish him speedy recovery as he was really key to his club performance last season and added value to our team.”

The hosts are now set to meet Chipolopolo of Zambia on Friday in the Plate final which will be staged at Sam Nujoma Stadium.

Zambia beat Lesotho on Tuesday afternoon in a 3-2 thriller to set up a date against the reigning COSAFA Cup champions.




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