Sun, 21 Jan 2018 11:12:49 +0000
…as they take on Chipolopolo Boys tomorrow at the on-going CHAN in Morocco
By GRACE CHAILE
LESOETSA
NAMIBIA Coach Ricardo Mannetti has denied his team is under pressure ahead of tomorrow’s encounter against Zambia at the on-going Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco.
Zambia and Namibia who are already through to the quarter-finals face each other in final Group B match to decide the top finisher.
Both teams are on joint six points but Zambia leads the Group on a better goal difference.
The two sides would meet either Sudan or hosts Morocco in the quarter-finals.
Mannetti hinted that he will use an adventurous system against Zambia. He noted that Zambia was among the favourite teams to win CHAN, so they would not be an easy side to beat.
“My team is not under pressure, they are focused and looking forward to Monday’s game. We have already qualified and now will be playing for a top group finish, so it will be a 50/50 affair,” he said.
He said his team would be conscious of Zambia’s fast pace especially in the wings.
He said Namibia came in the competition as under-dogs but slowly proving that they were a strong side.
“Beating Zambia would be a good motivation. This is one team that will give us a good game,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambia’ s Alex Ng’onga and Godfrey Ngwenya fitness levels have improved and may feature in Monday’s fixture.
The duo who were injured joined the rest of the squad in full training at Casablanca’s Kamhran Sports Complex.
Ngwenya sustained knee injury during a warm up match against Orlando Pirates while Ng’onga suffered a groin injury in the game against Uganda.
The team which has shifted base from Marrakech to Casablanca had recovery training on Saturday.
Coach Wedson Nyirenda is confident Zambia would maintain an unbeaten run tomorrow.
“Our aim is to finish first in Group B. We are ready to meet any team in quarterfinal, whether Morocco or Sudan,” Nyirenda said.
