BA hire Mannetti

BLACK Africa Sport Club wasted little time in appointing former Civics FC mentor Ricardo Mannetti as their new head coach. After much speculation about his next destination since tendering his resignation at the Civilians on Monday, Mannetti takes over for two and a half years from recently departed Ali Akan.

BA Chairman, Boni Paulino says Mannetti may not be the best candidate for the position but he certainly fits the bill for what the club wants to achieve. ‘We talked to several coaches before making this decision and we feel he is suitable for what we want to achieve. We view him as the ideal person for the position. I’m not saying he is the best for the position.’With the team currently third on the premiership log, two points behind arch rivals Orlando Pirates and league champions African Stars, Paulino emphasised that the immediate priority is not silverware. Mannetti is mandated with improving the club’s youth structure from which a formidable team core is to be built. ‘Obviously as a coach, he is expected to perform. If we win the league or a cup then it’s an added incentive. At the moment we want to focus more on building a team. Youth development is our primary focus. We need to groom our own players and not look to buy from other teams in the league.’Mannetti will be assisted by the current BA technical team and further appointments will be made in three to four weeks if the need arises. ‘Mannetti is basically in charge of all coaching, fitness, scouting and recruitment. He (Mannetti) will asses what’s on the ground. We are still looking at whom to bring in as assistants. ‘We have been talking to him since December (2009), and shared our vision with him. We asked him if he was up for the challenge and he gave us his approval this year,’ added Paulino on enquiry about the appointment details. sheefeni@namibian.com.na

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