Starke boosts Afcon squad

Starke boosts Afcon squadGerman-based striker makes Warriors return German third-tier division striker Manfred Starke has returned to the Brave Warriors fold for Afcon 2019. German-based Manfred Starke, who plies his trade with FC Carl Zeiss Jena, has been included in the 17-man Brave Warriors squad for the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) that kicks off in Egypt next month.

Starke was the surprise package in the squad list unveiled by coach Ricardo Mannetti yesterday.

His performances for his club, as well as the strenuous work that lies ahead for the Warriors squad, has prompted Mannetti to call on every available player to face Morocco, Ivory Coast and South Africa in Group D.

Starke last played in 2013 for the senior national side and has three caps, but has been a regular starter for his German side this season, having played 34 of their 38 matches, and finding the net seven times.

The Namibian striker is now in talks to sign for Kaiserslautern next season.

Starke is not the only foreign-based player that boosts the Warriors squad. Ryan Nyambe, who plies his trade with Blackburn Rovers and is visiting his family in Namibia, will also feature.

Asked how the two will gel with the other members of the squad, who have been playing together for years, and fit into his game plan, Mannetti said the two are professional players and should be able to rise to the task.

“We will have two friendly matches before the tournament - one against Ghana and one against another country that is still to be announced - so we will test them,” said Mannetti.

The gaffer said he will add an additional group of 11 players to the Afcon squad from the Cosafa Cup squad.

“I don't want to call out their names now because then they will not focus on Cosafa. Some guys will not go and make the hard tackles, reserving themselves for Afcon. I don't want that. I want them to go and play their hearts out and be selected,” explained Mannetti.

Chairperson of the Fifa normalisation committee, Hilda Basson-Namundjebo, answered questions about the uncertainty surrounding Mannetti's contract extension, saying they are in talks with the coach but cannot reveal if his contract will be extended on not.

“Everyone is taken care of and now we want to make sure that the players, coach and technical team are unhindered as they prepare for Afcon. The main sponsors of the Brave Warriors, Tafel Lager and Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia), remain committed to providing winning bonuses and players' appearance fees,” she said.

Namdia promised winning bonuses for the Warriors last year as an incentive for players for do well.

The national sponsorship and events manager for Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL), Daniel Keulder, thanked Mannetti for his hard work, adding that his task is not easy.

“We are immensely proud of you. Selecting players is never easy but we are looking forward to the tournament. Tafel Lager will be the behind the Brave Warriors,” said Keulder.

The Brave Warriors squad is as follows: Virgil Vries, Maximillian Mbaeva, Ryan Nyambe, Chris Katjiukua, Tiberius Lombard, Riaan Hanamub, Ananias Gebhardt, Benjamin Nenkavu, Denzil Haoseb, Manfred Starke, Willy Stephanus, Petrus Shitembi, Deon Hotto, Benson Shilongo, Itamunua Keimuine, Peter Shalulile and Ronald Ketjijere.

LIMBA MUPETAMI