Mannetti says to stay at Santos

NAMIBIAN international footballer, Ricardo Mannetti, yesterday denied reports that he was partying ways with his South African club, Santos FC.

Mannetti has been with the South African premiership club for the last five years. He told The Namibian Sport yesterday that he was staying put at Santos and has no intentions of leaving the club soon.Kick-Offmagazine this week reported that Mannetti was leaving the club, while former Brave Warriors and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo has been linked with the Cape Town side.”I have no intentions to leave and I am currently busy finalising issues regarding my contract at Santos,” he said.Mannetti’s contract with Santos ended in May.”I am training with the club and we will be leaving for Ghana next week to play there.So I am part of the team and will hopefully still be with them for the next few years,” he said.Santos is expected to play Ghana’s Hearts of Oak in the African Confederations Cup tie in Accra.Mannetti was confident that he will be successful in extending his contract with Santos.”It is difficult to say when I will sign, but it will possibly be early next week,” he said.Kick-Off reported that former Brave Warriors goal minder, Kanalelo, who was recently offloaded by Sundowns, was in line for a goalkeeping position at Santos.Kanalelo earlier indicated to The Namibian Sport that he intended to coach Namibia’s national side if the opportunity arose, while he was also not sure if he would continue with his footballing career.The Kick-Off website quoted Kanalelo as saying he had not yet been formally approached by the Santos management.Mannetti, however, said he had spoken to Kanalelo on a possible move to Santos.”I told Ronnie that I will speak to management (Santos) for him to possibly join us.But I dont want to talk about that now, as there is nothing much to say, ” he said.Kanalelo could not be reached for comment yesterday.He told The Namibian Sport yesterday that he was staying put at Santos and has no intentions of leaving the club soon.Kick-Offmagazine this week reported that Mannetti was leaving the club, while former Brave Warriors and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo has been linked with the Cape Town side.”I have no intentions to leave and I am currently busy finalising issues regarding my contract at Santos,” he said.Mannetti’s contract with Santos ended in May.”I am training with the club and we will be leaving for Ghana next week to play there.So I am part of the team and will hopefully still be with them for the next few years,” he said.Santos is expected to play Ghana’s Hearts of Oak in the African Confederations Cup tie in Accra.Mannetti was confident that he will be successful in extending his contract with Santos.”It is difficult to say when I will sign, but it will possibly be early next week,” he said.Kick-Off reported that former Brave Warriors goal minder, Kanalelo, who was recently offloaded by Sundowns, was in line for a goalkeeping position at Santos.Kanalelo earlier indicated to The Namibian Sport that he intended to coach Namibia’s national side if the opportunity arose, while he was also not sure if he would continue with his footballing career.The Kick-Off website quoted Kanalelo as saying he had not yet been formally approached by the Santos management.Mannetti, however, said he had spoken to Kanalelo on a possible move to Santos.”I told Ronnie that I will speak to management (Santos) for him to possibly join us.But I dont want to talk about that now, as there is nothing much to say, ” he said.Kanalelo could not be reached for comment yesterday.