BLACK Africa defender Vitapi Ngaruka is the only change in the Brave Warriors lineup as Namibia takes on Uganda in their second Group B game on Thursday night at the Grand Stade du Marrakech as the 2018 Chan continues in Morocco.
Ngaruka will make his debut in what is Namibia’s real chance of making it through to the next round at a continental football showpiece as he replaces Unam defender Edmund Kambanda on the right of defence. Kambanda started in that position in Namibia’s 1-0 win over Ivory Coast on Sunday night.
Otherwise, African Stars goalkeeper Loydt Kazapua will again start in goal with Tigers’ Ferdinand Karongee and Tura Magic’s Charles Hambira in central defence, while Riaan Hanamub of Orlando Pirates will play at left back and Ngaruka on the right.
Long-serving captain Ronald Ketjijere will again partner the diminutive Dynamo Fredericks of Black Africa in the engine room with Magic’s mercurial player Petrus Shitembi on the left and Tigers captain Absalom Iimbondi to continue on the right of midfield.
Theophilus Junias of Tura Magic and Blue Waters’ Hendrick Somaeb will again lead the attack as the Brave Warriors look to break down Uganda and maybe reach the elusive second round of continental football finals.
“Uganda has to come out and play and we remain the underdogs. They are a physical team and we will respond accordingly. We need to be smarter and avoid reckless play against Uganda. Uganda losing to Zambia does not make them a bad team and we have to be cognisant of that and try to do our best and double our concentration,” Mannetti said earlier this week.
On the bench, Mannetti will have options in goalkeepers Edward Maova and Charles Uirab; defenders Tiberius Lombard, Benyamin Nenkavu, Edmund Kambanda and Emilio Martin; strikers Roger Katjiteo, Itamunua Keimuine and Panduleni Nekundi; and midfielders Kleopas Useb, Oswaldo Xamseb and Himeezembi Hengombe.
After Thursday night’s clash the Brave Warriors will travel to Casablanca on Friday to go and prepare for their final Group B game against neighbours Zambia on 22 January in Casablanca. The top two teams in the group will advance to the quarterfinals of the 2018 Chan finals.
