‘Bucksy’ into Bucks camp after good offer, challenges

NAMIBIAN international Ricardo ‘Bucksy’ Mannetti’s move to Bush Bucks this week was prompted by a good offer made to him by the team, while he also wants to venture into new challenges in his football career.

Mannetti, who formerly played for Santos, on Monday signed a one-year contract with Bush Bucks, another South African premiership side. He told The Namibian Sport in an interview yesterday that he would have the option to renew the contract after one year.Mannetti, who at the weekend played in the former Warriors’ 3-2 win against an invitational side led by former Kaizer Chiefs great Doc Khumalo in Windhoek, leaves for the East London side today.He said he liked the offer proposed to him by the side, which is coached by former Brave Warriors coach Professor Mlungisi Ngubane.Ngubane is said to have strengthened the side which he saved from relegation last season.Mannetti said he did not want to become complacent by only playing for Santos, but wanted to test other grounds to become more competitive on the field of play.”I don’t want to let my career go behind.I want to have more challenges and by signing for Bush Bucks, I believe that I can further sharpen my skills and have a whole different look at the game of football from another angle,” he said.Mannetti said he believed he would be happy at Bush Bucks after serving Santos for almost six seasons now.”I think with the quality players the club has acquired for the new season, I anticipate happiness overall and, of course, more games to help the team stay in contention for the league title.I am very optimistic about the future at Bush Bucks,” he said.Mannetti left his fellow countryman, Robert Nauseb at Santos, who still has a season at the Cape Town-based side.Mannetti will now move to East London, where he will find his new home for the next year.The Namibian Sport also wanted to know what his thoughts were on the recent appointment of Seth Boois as the technical director of Namibian football.He said although Namibian football was currently in shambles, it would serve no purpose not to support whoever had been appointed to the position.”All I can say is that we need to support Boois to correct all the wrongs in football at the moment.We should stop criticising and work towards a common goal, because our football really needs to get out of the current chaotic situation.I wish him all the best in his efforts to bring about the necessary change to Namibian football,” he said.Asked on the recent match against a Dr Khumalo and Friends team at the Independence Stadium, Mannetti said he was honoured to be included.”I was really thrilled to have played alongside my former team mates and the former legends of South African football.At first I thought it would be a nice laid-back game, but things were already hotting up by the fifth minute,” he said.He said he decided to step up the pace, as players from both sides were serious about winning the game.”By the way, it was a good exercise and I really enjoyed the match.I would also like to thank the Namibian football supporters for coming out in such big numbers to support us on the day.The big turn-out reminded me of the past years when we played in front of such big crowds at the Independence Stadium.”So far, Namibia has five players plying their trade in South Africa.George Hummel and Mohammed Ouseb are with Moroka Swallows, while former Ramblers striker Henrico Botes recently joined the same team.Ouseb and Mannetti are the other two players who have spent more than five years in that country playing football.He told The Namibian Sport in an interview yesterday that he would have the option to renew the contract after one year.Mannetti, who at the weekend played in the former Warriors’ 3-2 win against an invitational side led by former Kaizer Chiefs great Doc Khumalo in Windhoek, leaves for the East London side today.He said he liked the offer proposed to him by the side, which is coached by former Brave Warriors coach Professor Mlungisi Ngubane.Ngubane is said to have strengthened the side which he saved from relegation last season.Mannetti said he did not want to become complacent by only playing for Santos, but wanted to test other grounds to become more competitive on the field of play.”I don’t want to let my career go behind.I want to have more challenges and by signing for Bush Bucks, I believe that I can further sharpen my skills and have a whole different look at the game of football from another angle,” he said.Mannetti said he believed he would be happy at Bush Bucks after serving Santos for almost six seasons now.”I think with the quality players the club has acquired for the new season, I anticipate happiness overall and, of course, more games to help the team stay in contention for the league title.I am very optimistic about the future at Bush Bucks,” he said.Mannetti left his fellow countryman, Robert Nauseb at Santos, who still has a season at the Cape Town-based side.Mannetti will now move to East London, where he will find his new home for the next year.The Namibian Sport also wanted to know what his thoughts were on the recent appointment of Seth Boois as the technical director of Namibian football.He said although Namibian football was currently in shambles, it would serve no purpose not to support whoever had been appointed to the position.”All I can say is that we need to support Boois to correct all the wrongs in football at the moment.We should stop criticising and work towards a common goal, because our football really needs to get out of the current chaotic situation.I wish him all the best in his efforts to bring about the necessary change to Namibian football,” he said.Asked on the recent match against a Dr Khumalo and Friends team at the Independence Stadium, Mannetti said he was honoured to be included.”I was really thrilled to have played alongside my former team mates and the former legends of South African football.At first I thought it would be a nice laid-back game, but things were already hotting up by the fifth minute,” he said.He said he decided to step up the pace, as players from both sides were serious about winning the game.”By the way, it was a good exercise and I really enjoyed the match.I would also like to thank the Namibian football supporters for coming out in such big numbers to support us on the day.The big turn-out reminded me of the past years when we played in front of such big crowds at the Independence Stadium.”So far, Namibia has five players plying their trade in South Africa.George Hummel and Mohammed Ouseb are with Moroka Swallows, while former Ramblers striker Henrico Botes recently joined the same team.Ouseb and Mannetti are the other two players who have spent more than five years in that country playing football.