Namibia have a good chance of qualification to the 2019 Africa Nations Cup as coach Ricardo Mannetti gauged his team’s prospects in fulfilling his mandate of qualification for the 32nd edition of the continental competition.

The Confederation of African Footfall (CAF) has conducted the draw for Cameron 2019 Nations Cup qualifiers and Namibia are in Group K yet again, this time grouped with regional rivals Zambia, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau with the top team guaranteed a place at the finals.

Reacting to the draw, Mannetti is very positive about the group given the recent form against Zambia and Mozambique, as well as the maturity of players in the Brave Warriors set up.

“Zambia are still a power house in Africa but looking at our results in the past two years, we have done well, won more than twice which was never the cause in past years. They used to roll all over us. Huge improvement for us and it gives me hope”, Mannetti says.

On Mozambique, Mannetti says the record reads well for his team against the Mambas and also fancied his charge’s chances against them.

“We managed to beat them as well in recent times and of course for the big one, the COSAFA Castle Cup final in 2015 and so we can go in there with great optimism”.

Guinea-Bissau, are the unknown to his team and Namibia fans and Mannetti will take them seriously.

“The fact that they are in Gabon this year for the Nations Cup speaks volume and we have to be ready for them. It will be exciting indeed,” Mannetti assesses.

Mannetti reiterates that Namibia was not ready for 2017 and s still on the mark for project 2019.

“Players have now many games under their belts and matured. Peter Shalulile and Wangu Gome are some key players for us now that have come off age but I again encourage players to get the game time being it local or abroad so that it gives us depth and strength going forward”.

Group Stages Match-Day one is scheduled 05-13 June 2017 as Namibia travel to Guinea-Bissau before hosting Zambia on Match-Day two in March 2018.