Mannetti denies Lusaka link

By Michael Uugwanga

FORMER Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti has strongly denied that he will take over as new MTN Lusaka Dynamos Football Club coach after rumours surfaced in both Namibia and Zambia that he has agreed to join Lusaka Dynamos in the Zambian Super League.

Lusaka Dynamos are currently in 10thplace on the log in the MTN Zambian Super League with 22 points from 17 matches played so far, 11 points adrift of table toppers Green Eagles Football Clubs who have 33 points from 17 matches.

Mannetti has been out of a coaching job since last year after the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that was held in Egypt from 21 June to 19 July, after his contract with the Brave Warriors came to an end.

He had been coach of the Brave Warriors from 2013 to 2019 since succeeding Swedish-born coach Roger Palmgren, who resigned from his position in June 2013, Mannetti was his assistant at the time.

Perhaps his finest coaching moment was when he helped Namibia play out to a 1-all draw against the then formidable Nigerian Super Eagles at the Sam Nujoma Stadium during a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier match.

During his tenure as coach of the Brave Warriors, Mannetti guided Namibia to the Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) Senior Challenge triumph in 2015 and also helped Namibia qualify for its first African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in 2018.

Mannetti, who also coached the country’s U-20 men team, Black Africa Football Club and Civics Football Club, all in the Namibia Premier League (NPL), said he has not had any contact whatsoever with Lusaka Dynamos or any other club.

“Not true, I am not going to coach Lusaka Dynamos,” he said this week.

Asked about his next move after months out of the game, Mannetti (44) who played professional football in South Africa for Santos Football Club and Bush Bucks Football Club, said when time is right he will inform the public.

“Do not worry, you will hear from me should I decide to coach again,” he said.