By GWEN CHIPASULA –

in Windhoek
NAMIBIA coach Ricardo Mannetti savoured in Zambia’s 1-0 win during the COSAFA Castle Cup Plate final saying playing the Chipolopolo always gives him extra motivation to perform better as a coach.
Mannetti, whose side eliminated Zambia at quarterfinal stage during the 2015 COSAFA tournament, said winning the Plate final showed how much depth his side has, as the players were capable of beating any side on the continent.
Namibia scored the only goal of the match through a penalty after defender Donashano Malama made a hand ball foul from a cross from delivered  by the lively Deon Hotto and made Ronald Ketjijere easily score from the spot on 21 minutes.
“People say the Plate is second best to the trophy, but we had a lot of first team players absent. It shows Namibia have a lot of depth. We are not scared to take on  the big guns of Africa now,” he said.
Mannetti, a big fan of Zambian football, said beating Zambia delights him as he is able to judge how he is performing against one of the big teams on the continent.
“I have always loved Zambian football, even when I was a player-I would always look up to Kalusha Bwalya, so playing and beating Zambia is a big plus for me and the team,” he said.
He added that his team always develops a winning mentality whenever it plays Zambia.
Zambia’s skipper Buchizya Mfune said the team played a well coordinated game despite losing.
Mfune said the results were not as bad as everyone thought the team would perform without the foreign based players.
“We all put up a good fight, I am sure it is not what our fans back home expected but just knowing that we coordinated well as local professionals to perform like this is so encouraging,” he said.