WINDHOEK – A pedestrian Brave Warriors side laboured to an unconvincing 1-all draw against the silky and technically far superior Taifa Stars of Tanzania in a low-key international friendly at the half empty Sam Nujoma Stadium on Wednesday.
Warriors coach, Ricardo Mannetti can however be credited for providing Tigers acrobatic goalkeeper Loyd Kazapua a chance to feature for his country. The beanpole debutante shot-stopper was barely troubled during the entire 90 minutes until a costly loss in concentration by the defense allowed the visitors to take the lead deep in the 2nd half. On the balance Tanzania enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession and circulated the ball admirably through their accurate quick passing game plan. However, the visitors found themselves wanting in the final quarter being unable to penetrate the solid defensive ability of Dudes Mwedihanga (doubtlessly the Warriors man of the match) and his centre back partner Dacosta Angula. Returning skipper Stigga Ketjijere, produced a stellar performance in the heart of the jam-packed Warriors midfield. And while the hosts lacked the technical and tactical ability to match their opponents, they made up with speed, which the visitors could not match. With much of the action confined to the middle of the park, the hosts were the first to fashion out a decent goal scoring chance. On the half hour mark Lazarus Kaimbi found himself unmarked at the end of Tangeni Shipanhu’s inviting cross, but the goatee-bearded winger dilly-dallied and had his tame shot saved by goalkeeper Mwadin Ally. Soon afterwards Angula found himself with acres of space in the penalty area, but the burly defender lifted his attempt well over the crossbar from close range with the goalposts at his mercy.
Mannettie, unleashed Petrus Shitembi at the resumption, hauling off Bryan Bantam while Awilo Stephanus also made way for Deon Hotto. The move appeared to yield positive dividends as Namibia started to pay frequent visits to the visitors’ danger zone only to be thwarted by the resolute defending of the Tanzanian rearguard. As the match wore on Shipahu was presented with a clear cut goal scoring opportunity to put the Warriors ahead and for some strange reasons, the tall striker elected to go for glory trying to ‘murder’ the goalkeeper by opting for brawn over brains with a ferocious bullet shot instead of placing the ball, but Ally was equal to the task and tipped the ball out for a corner kick.
Namibia was denied the chance to take the lead when the South African referee waved away what looked like a legitimate penalty appeal when the marauding Larry Horaeb went down under a heavy challenge in the penalty box. The deadlock was finally broken when substitute Mdan Athanas scored directly from a corner kick after the Namibian defense failed to clear their lines to put Tanzania ahead (1-0) eight minutes from time. At the other end, the Warriors bamboozled the Tanzanian defense with quick attacks in succession and it was left to super sub Kaka Nekundi, to salvage some fading pride for the hosts. Nekundi rose high to connect powerfully with Shitembi’s tantalizing deep delivery from a free kick to head home the much-needed equalizer in added time (1-1).
By Carlos Kambaekwa