Namibia coach relishing CHAN quarterfinal showdown with Morocco

The Brave Warriors are on one game closer to the semifinals of a major competition when they face Morocco on Saturday at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca at the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals.

Namibia drew 1-1 against Zambia on Monday night and confirmed a date against the host Morocco in the second round of the CHAN finals and Coach Ricardo Mannetti says his team is ready to make another history.

“We are sniffing the semifinals and we are not under pressure against Morocco. They are the host and the stadium will be full of their support. We will go out there as underdogs that we have been and enjoy ourselves. We deceive our moment with a packed stadium and on Saturday we will have just that”, Mannetti states.

After guiding Namibia to wins over Uganda and Ivory Coast in Group B and book a quarterfinals berth, first ever for the Brave Warriors at continental level, Mannetti further reckons the surprise package tag of team will continue.

“ We have to see if we can spoil the hosts party on Saturday and I’m sure we can if we play to our strengths yet again. Why should the surprise that we have ditched out stop against Morocco?, its possible it can continue against the favorites Morocco”.

Mannetti adds that this competition is great for team maturity and should stay on forever.

“ We are not like the big nations in Africa that have players all over the world. We are Namibia and this tournament is ideal for our players to shine and be noticed and they have done that so far and so I plead with CAF, Please CAF President don’t take this tournament away.

To stay relevant and on top you need to play the best and move forward. We are on a good run for about three years now and I hope it continues on Saturday against Morocco. We hoping for the best result for our team”, Mannetti says of the prospect of facing the host in Casablanca on Saturday, 18h30, Namibian time.

Source: www.nfa.org.na