In what can be interpreted as a last ditch effort to stop
the Super Eagles’ smooth-run in the qualifiers for the
2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, rank outsiders Namibia
have recalled forgotten veteran midfielder Oliver Risser
ahead of their penultimate clash against the current
African champions at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in
Windhoek on Wednesday.
Namibia based online network, New Era reports that
the Warriors are still without the injured quartet of
skipper Stigga Ketjijere, Rudolf Bester, Heini Isaacks
and Henrico Botes, but newcomers such as Freedom
Puriza and his teammates are capable of filling their
boots with a great deal of pride.
The leg-weary Warriors
returned home last
Friday and immediately
knuckled down to
serious business as the
players went straight
into camp in preparation
for the eagerly awaited
2014 FIFA World Cup
qualifier clash against
Nigeria’s Super Eagles
– fresh from their 1-0
win against Kenya in
Nairobi.
Roger Palmgren’s new-look Warriors were held to an
uninspiring goalless draw against Malawi in Blantyre –
a result that almost condemned them to an early
elimination from the qualifiers but the gutsy Namibians
still have a mathematical chance of scraping through if
they beat Nigeria on Wednesday and hope Malawi do
not get a good result in the other Group-F match
against Kenya.
Namibia is stuck in 3rd place with four points on the log
standings of the four-nations Group-F mini league, four
points adrift of leaders Nigeria. Victory will revive their
fading hopes as it will leave them just two points off the
pace.
Malawi are 2nd on six points while the Harambee Stars
hold the wooden spoon with a paltry two points. The
Warriors’ last assignment is an away tie against Kenya
in Nairobi on September 9. Tickets for the game are on
sale at Computicket at Shoprite and Checkers as well
as at Soccer House for N$50 per ticket. No tickets will
be sold on match day.
However Namibia interim coach Ricardo Mannetti has
predicted an upset on Wednesday against African
champions Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier.
Mannetti, who took over as interim head coach on
Sunday evening following the resignation of Roger
Palmgren, held his first training session with the
players on Monday morning and reckons the mood in
the camp is positive as his players gear up to face
Nigeria.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“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.”
He called on the nation to remain positive and rally
behind the team.
“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.
Mannetti emphasised that he is ready for the
Wednesday night game against Nigeria and is sticking
to the game plan.
“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 said.