Namibia look to turn around CHAN tie

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Aug 19, 2017. 22:00

Namibia will be banking on home advantage when they host Comoros for the second leg of their African Nations Championship qualifying tie. The Southern Zone opponents will meet at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Sunday, August 20.

Comoros claimed a stunning 2-1 home win in Moroni in the first leg last weekend, with first-half goals from Chadhuli Mradabi and Mohamed Youssouf giving them a fighting chance of qualifying for the CHAN finals.

However, the Brave Warriors have an away goal in the bag - scored by Hendrik Somaeb - and know that a 1-0 win in Windhoek will be enough to turn the tie in their favour.

“They have two goals from the first leg, and they can come here and take the game to us,” Namibia coach Ricardo Mannetti told the NFA.

“We need to be prepared for that. We know what we need to do; we have to at least win by 1-0, and that won't be that easy. But it is a good advantage for us. We have a good chance of making it. It will be sweet if we manage to pull it off.”

Mannetti added, “We have a monumental game on Sunday, and we need everyone behind the team. This team has proved that they can rise to the occasion, and a full home stadium has always brought the best out of the team.”

Zambian referee Wisdom Chewe will take charge of the match in Windhoek. The aggregate winners will qualify for the 2018 CHAN finals in Kenya.