ROYAL HUSTLERS

Ricardo Mannetti The people’s coach talks turning passion to success

Growing up in the Khomasdal suburb of Windhoek, Ricardo was exposed to a rough neighbourhood, which his parents and older siblings tried very hard to protect him from. On the other hand, his home was a beautiful haven filled with love and great memories.

“I had a very contrasting childhood. We were very spiritual at home – church on Sundays was a must. The other side of life as a child in Khomasdal was very tough. My parents and older siblings tried to protect me and while they succeeded at times, it wasn’t always the case,” says Ricardo.

This juxtaposition of realities made him the man that he is today. “I grew up to be a church guy who is streetsmart,” he says jokingly.

Discipline and determination

“At an early age, I knew that I wanted to make it in life,” says Ricardo and pinpoints things like the tsotsi (urban criminal) culture that he was exposed to as a child. But Ricardo refused to let that exposure get in the way of his dreams.

During his early years as a young football player in Cape Town, Ricardo vowed to work hard until he made it. “Every day of my life I had to perfect my craft and be the best. I learnt that, especially since my peers went to university while I chose football, I had to work harder. So, when you have a passion, work twice as hard.”

During his time as a player, coaching was not something he aspired to but life had other plans. His call to coach the national team came only two days before Namibia played Nigeria in an African Championship game, because the coach had simply left.

At the time, the NFA president called Ricardo, challenging him to take up one of the most challenging roles of his career – and the rest, as they say, is history.

Flourishing career

This former footballer and coach made his senior national team debut at the age of 17 and went on to play professional football for 10 years. His career highlights as a player include winning the league and two cups with Santos FC in Cape Town, South Africa. He was part of the iconic class of ‘98 that was responsible for Namibia’s first AFCON qualification, and he became the only Namibian representative at AFCON as a player and Head Coach.

Ricardo is also the first coach who led the Brave Warriors to winning the COSAFA CUP in 2015, the COSAFA Plate Section in 2016, the 2018 CHAN qualificationand finals in Morocco and the 2019 Egypt AFCON qualification.

Ricardo has earned his right as the people’s coach after leading the National Team through two Hage Geingob Cup victories against Zimbabwe and Ghana.

Family first

While he has had his fair share of success on the pitch, Ricardo’s greatest passion is his family. “The thing that wakes me up in the morning is no longer the passion for football, it’s the passion for my kids,” says the proud father of three daughters who admits that his youngest daughters are not even fazed by his fame.

Now he goes extra hard to leave behind a legacy for his family.

His advice for aspiring young football players is to look beyond the glitz and glamour of the often lavish lifestyles led by famous players. Addressing both players and their parents, he emphasises how tough an environment professional football is. “If you can’t put in more work than what your coach expects from you, then football is not for you”, he says.

Tune in to The Royal Hustlers on 99FM every Monday to Friday at 07h35 or rewind the 99FM App (now available on Play Store and the App Store).

Proudly Sponsored by