Jantze, Mannetti, Tjikuzu out of Angola encounter

THREE Namibian foreign-based players will not make the trip to Angola when the Brave Warriors face that country in a Cosafa Castle Cup match in Luanda this Sunday.

The three are Santos experienced midfielder Ricardo Mannetti, who plays in South Africa, German-based Razundara Tjikuzu who is with Hansa Rostock and the exciting Dumisa Jantze who turns out for Duisburg, also in Germany. Mannetti told The Namibian Sport from Cape Town yesterday that his club could not let him go, as he will be needed in the Absa semi-final clash against Moroka Swallows on the same weekend.Both Tjikuzu and Jantze’s whereabouts were not clear, but Brave Warriors team manager Sandro de Gouveia, confirmed that both will not be available.He could not say whether the players could not be released due to club commitments.At this stage, only Oliver Risser, who plays for Borussia Dortmunds reserve side in Germany, turned up yesterday morning.He trained with the team yesterday afternoon.De Gouveia said it is now clear for the technical staff that the bulk of the players who will play in Angola, will be local, with Risser and Mohammed Ouseb being the only two from outside the borders.Ouseb is currently nursing a knee injury and did not feature in their 0-0 draw last week Wednesday.He is currently seeing a physiotherapist on a daily basis and it is believed that he will be ready for the Angola clash on May 9.Warriors coach Max Johnson initially wanted Mannetti, Ouseb, Tjikuzu, Risser, Jantze, Collin Benjamin, George Hummel and Robert Nauseb in his side for the Angola match.Benjamin and Nauseb are injured, while Hummel decided to first establish himself at his new club, Luch Energy in Russia.Benjamin is to undergo an operation on his left ankle, while Nauseb has to follow the same route as his toe is injured.Meanwhile, Mannetti also said that it was important for him to play for his club, but also had sympathy for the national side that will need some experienced players at that level.”I wish the boys (Warriors) good luck and I know they have what it takes to come away with something.I am on the verge of signing a new contract at the end of this season and it is vital for me to at least play for the club, especially during competitions (Absa Cup) such as these,” he said.Mannetti also said he might move to another club in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL), but did not want to reveal a name.The Warriors depart for Lunada on Saturday morning, returning Monday.Mannetti told The Namibian Sport from Cape Town yesterday that his club could not let him go, as he will be needed in the Absa semi-final clash against Moroka Swallows on the same weekend.Both Tjikuzu and Jantze’s whereabouts were not clear, but Brave Warriors team manager Sandro de Gouveia, confirmed that both will not be available.He could not say whether the players could not be released due to club commitments.At this stage, only Oliver Risser, who plays for Borussia Dortmunds reserve side in Germany, turned up yesterday morning.He trained with the team yesterday afternoon.De Gouveia said it is now clear for the technical staff that the bulk of the players who will play in Angola, will be local, with Risser and Mohammed Ouseb being the only two from outside the borders.Ouseb is currently nursing a knee injury and did not feature in their 0-0 draw last week Wednesday.He is currently seeing a physiotherapist on a daily basis and it is believed that he will be ready for the Angola clash on May 9.Warriors coach Max Johnson initially wanted Mannetti, Ouseb, Tjikuzu, Risser, Jantze, Collin Benjamin, George Hummel and Robert Nauseb in his side for the Angola match.Benjamin and Nauseb are injured, while Hummel decided to first establish himself at his new club, Luch Energy in Russia.Benjamin is to undergo an operation on his left ankle, while Nauseb has to follow the same route as his toe is injured.Meanwhile, Mannetti also said that it was important for him to play for his club, but also had sympathy for the national side that will need some experienced players at that level.”I wish the boys (Warriors) good luck and I know they have what it takes to come away with something.I am on the verge of signing a new contract at the end of this season and it is vital for me to at least play for the club, especially during competitions (Absa Cup) such as these,” he said.Mannetti also said he might move to another club in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL), but did not want to reveal a name.The Warriors depart for Lunada on Saturday morning, returning Monday.