Mannetti reckons all is set for the opening game against Morrocco in AFCON Cup
NFA – The Brave Warriors will have no problem with the weather in Cairo and plans to change the record against Morocco on Sunday afternoon in their opening African Cup of Nations Cup Group D campaign.
The team jetted into Cairo from Dubai on Tuesday afternoon and they had their first training session at their AFCON base on Wednesday morning.
“Everyone understands their role in the team, in how we can play and where we want to be. The selection of the final 23 players says it all in terms of tactical harmony. We have not beaten Morocco in about six games now and we have a lot of hope because of our preparations. It’s a once off match and it’s will be tricky and different and a draw or victory against Morocco will be key,” he said.
The coach added that the response of the lads in the training session also add value to the preparations.
“During the run this morning , the guys said they can handle this weather which is good because we play in the afternoon on Sunday and compared to night temperatures of 33 degrees in Dubai, they can surely handle it. The team is poised to improve on thier latest heroics and that can only be good for us”, stated Mannetti.
On the injury front, Captain Ronald Ketjijere, winger Willy Stephanus and defender Ryan Nyambe are nursing minor knocks but the coach is confident the medical team will take care of it in time for the opening match.
The Brave Warriors will play Morocco on 23 June followed by South Africa on 28 June the final group will be against Ivory Coast on 1 July.
