Namibia’s Brave Warriors put up a valiant fight against top-ranked Cameroon yesterday in a nil-all draw of their Group H African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg. 

In a pulsating encounter, the Brave Warriors took control of the game early in the first half, creating numerous scoring chances, was it not for Manchester United’s Andre Onana, who denied the marauding Warriors. 

Riaan Hanamub had one such goal-scoring opportunity in the 17th minute via a well-placed free-kick with Onana to the rescue, while goalpoacher and skipper Peter Shalulile’s goal-bound, close-range shot in the 24th minute, was deflected by a defender, leading to a corner kick. 

Hanamub struck again in the 26th minute with a powerful shot from outside the box, but Onana again came to the rescue. 

It could have been four by the time Deon Hotto’s free kick came within metres of Onana’s beating. 

Shalulile came knocking again in the 41st minute before Onana made a crucial save to keep the score level ahead of half-time. 

The second half belonged to the host, with an Ivan Kamberipa cross finding Kennedy Eib’s head only to ricochet off the post in the 63rd minute. 

The Indomitable Lions were sleeping much of the day, except for a rare 84th-minute Vincent Aboubakar move. He found space in the box, but missed the target, squandering their best and only opportunity of the half. 

This was Namibia’s best response, having lost 0-1 in the first leg in Yaounde. 

The Brave Warriors remain grounded at the bottom of the table with a single point after five matches played.

They are out of contention for the Afcon tournament in Morocco next year.

 Cameroon leads the pack with 11 points, followed by Zimbabwe in second position with eight points.

Kenya is in third place with four points. 

Namibia will take Wednesday’s result as a motivator ahead of facing Kenya, who will, if they are beaten in Polokwane, bring them on equal points with the Harambee Stars on Tuesday.

-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na