Brave Warriors squad marred by injuries

Hendrick Somaeb is a doubt for the game against Niger, while Ronald Ketjijere, Petrus Shitembi and Willem Mwedihanga will miss out the Brave Warriors defense of Cosafa Cup while Peter Shalulile might feature in the match against Botswana due to club football commitments and injuries.
This was revealed by Coach Ricardo Mannetti on Thursday at Football House as he announced a 26 men squad which will be trimmed down to 18 for the game against Niger on 4 June in Windhoek and increased to 20-men for the Cosafa cup before the quarterfinal match on 18 June against Botswana.
Mannetti said Somaeb will have to be assessed by the Brave Warriors medical team on a recent injured he is nursing while Highland Park striker Peter Shalulile will surely miss this the Niger game as well together with the University of Pretoria pair of Ketjijere and Mwedihanga. Amazulu’s Petrus Shitembi is also out for six weeks with injury.
“Somaeb was injured during a league game recently and we will assess him ourselves and see what is possible for us. As for Peter, he’s still nursing an ankle injury from the Burundi second match and will also be involved in promotional playoffs with his club and depending on how he is then, he can be available for us on 18 June against Botswana after playing on 15 June,” Mannetti said.
The coach also explained that the University of Pretoria players, Warriors captain Ronald Ketjijere and Willem Mwedihanga will not feature against Niger or during the Cosafa cup.
“They will be playing the playoffs on 18 June and again against Peter’s team on 22 June and for so they are out for us hence the decision not to include all three (Shalulile as well ) for Niger as well as we have to use players that are available for Cosafa cup as well. They are key players but this is the best reaction to the situation,” said Mannetti.
Mannetti added that Da costa Angula and Wangu Gome are back in the squad due to recent game time and about three weeks of training that he will have with them before the Botswana match.
“ They have had some game time lately and they are back and in have enough time to work with them and push them up to the level I need the to be. We will be without Chris (Katjiukua) against Niger due to two yellow cards he received thus far and so players such as Da Costa can come in handy”, Mannetti explained.
The Brave Warriors are also expected to play two friendly matches before the Cosafa cup quarterfinal tie against Botswana which can be good for the team.