Once a teenage star, Ricardo 'Bucksy' Mannetti, who first played for Namibia's senior national football team at the age of 17, is often compared to the Rolls Royce of contemporary football.
Born in Windhoek, the former ball-juggler spent his childhood between Spokiesdorp and Bethlehem in Khomasdal. He was a standout player during a highly successful football career that included both amateur and professional levels.
Mannetti states: "I began playing football when I was approximately 10 years old. I was studying at MH Greef Primary School in Khomasdal. At that time, I was more of an athlete than a football player. My true talent as a footballer emerged during my time at Ella du Plessis Secondary School."
BIG PROMO, BUY NOW!!!I have always enjoyed playing in the midfield. I was a number 8, known as a box-to-box midfielder, due to my physicality and the liberty it provided. I was very good at protecting the ball. In the national team, I played as a 6, taking on a more defensive role as a deep-lying playmaker, with a much more organized approach.
Mannetti began his career with the Brave Warriors even as he remained a key member of the under-20 and under-23 national teams.
In reality, the retired central midfielder displayed promising indicators of a successful career when he was initially chosen for the pre-independence South West Africa under-13 squad in 1987.
Mannetti, who aims to be seen as a player who is open to guidance, maintains strong discipline, and has a resilient mindset, placing his country's interests above all else, earned the Victor Ludorum award during both his primary and secondary school years.
"I was part of a club named Arsenal in the same area where Civics originated, and we were competitors. When Civics were struggling with relegation, we chose to collaborate in the Namibian Premier League to help them stay afloat," he mentions.
Inside, I had always been a Civics supporter and I seized the chance to play for them with both hands. As a player, I later won the Metropolitan Cup and the Windhoek Lager NFA Cup with them, and another NFA Cup with them as a coach.
Mannetti mentions that he was surrounded by highly skilled and dynamic midfielders such as Elgin 'Sputla' Masite and Brian 'Robson' Isaacs. Practicing with them both inspired and humbled him.
Regarding his most challenging adversary, Mannetti promptly identifies former Chief Santos and Kaizer Chiefs player Mohammed 'Slice' Ouseb.
"Ouseb was a strong player. I used to pray he would play in defense so we wouldn't cross paths in midfield. What a great player," Mannetti recalls.
It was no surprise when the Santos team from Cape Town, who were competing in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) back then, approached the Mighty Civilians to entice the promising young player to move to the vibrant city of their origin.
"I experienced numerous highs and lows at Santos, and I will always be thankful for the chance to have played alongside many amazing players. We created history at that club, and Santos had a significant impact on me. I was excited to win the PSL," Mannetti says.
I experienced a variety of situations. Whatever the game required from me, I was able to provide it most of the time. With better growth, I believed I could have achieved even more. Still, I am thankful to God for the love and a remarkable career that had more positive moments than negative ones.
Mannetti enhances his Santos achievements by adding the Absa Cup and BP Top 8 Cup.
The national team football helped me become mentally resilient since we faced many losses initially. This experience taught me to persevere and not be intimidated by stronger teams as I matured. I have participated in over 40 African countries representing Namibia.
"How did Robert Kiyosaki make his first profit?"Football in Africa back then was quite fearsome, and many other nations were very unfriendly. From food to lodging and travel, you needed to be mentally strong. I feel the need to write a book about my experiences, particularly what happened off the pitch.
He mentions that his greatest achievement as a player was Namibia's first qualification for the African Cup of Nations in 1998 and securing the PSL title with Santos in 2011.
He emphasizes that as a coach, leading the Brave Warriors to victory in the Cosafa Cup for the first time in 2015 is among his top accomplishments. Not joining Sheffield Wednesday in England remains his greatest disappointment as an athlete, he mentions.
Mannetti secured the Cosafa Castle Cup Plate when the Brave Warriors defeated Zambia 2-1 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek in 2016.
A typical day for a married man with three daughters and a granddaughter, who has experienced the loss of his only son, begins with coffee in bed, a brief review of news and sports channels, followed by taking the children to school.
"I am the sports director of Ongos Sport Club. My responsibilities cover all sports disciplines, including both the men's and women's football, basketball, and other events such as Rugby Sevens and the Ongos Golf Day," Mannetti states.
I have put a great deal into football, and when you do that, the game takes care of you. I have no complaints because all I need to do is continuously refresh my brand. God continues to bless me.
He mentions he is thankful for his accomplishments as a player, but as a coach, the sole remaining goal was to qualify for the World Cup, noting that perhaps he could cross that off in a different manner.
Mannetti mentions that there are still two tasks remaining to finish his football journey before he can claim that this is how he envisioned his life post-football.
"How did Robert Kiyosaki make his first profit?"He claims there's no substitute for the joy of rising each day to engage in work you cherish and are enthusiastic about, while also being compensated for it.
Having talent alone isn't sufficient anymore. In the past, it was enough. Today's game demands talent along with mental and physical strength, as well as consistency every single day. Fewer than 10% of children reach the top leagues. Therefore, he urges young players to take their education seriously.
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