New Namibian Coach Wants Eagles Scalp

[Folami David]

The man, who replaced Roger Palmgren as coach of Namibia, Ricardo Mannetti is drumming up support as he prepares to lead the Brave Warriors out on Wednesday to face African champions, Nigeria. Palmgren resigned on Sunday and Mannetti has now been placed in temporary charge of the Brave Warriors.
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Mannetti has quickly set heart to purpose as he held his first training session with the players on Monday.
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Former Nigeria national team coach, Christian Chukwu told supersport.com on Monday that the Namibian camp will be thrown in turmoil following the resignation of Palmgren but Mannetti claims there is nothing dramatic within the ranks.
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"The situation remains the same. We are playing Nigeria and the players are aware of that. I played for this team before and I know what is at stake and have spoken to the players as well. First of all, it is pride you play for, secondly you play for the national team jersey, your family and the nation and that will be at the forefront of their thoughts," Mannetti told namibiasport.com.na.
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Stating further that the players are all united for the cause, he called on the supporters to rally round the team when they face Nigeria's superstars on Wednesday at the Sam Nujuoma stadium, Windhoek.
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"Coaches come and go but the national team remains and the players are committed to running out there (on Wednesday night) and performing to the best of their abilities.
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"We need the support from the nation as we go into this crucial game. The only thing that has changed is Roger (Palmgren) leaving, but the situation remains the same, we have to win this game and for that we need all the support we can get," he said.
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Mannetti then revealed that there would be no wholesale changes in tactics ahead of Wednesday's game against the Super Eagles.
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"We have been working with these players for about two weeks now and there is no need to introduce any new ideas that can confuse players, we are sticking to our plan to get victory against Nigeria," he concluded.
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Nigeria currently leads Group F of the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualification for Africa zone with eight points from four games while Namibia, with four points from four games, will be eliminated from the race to Brazil if they fail to defeat the Super Eagles on Wednesday.