Windhoek
With the entire country overwhelmed by joy and a national sense of pride following Namibia’s inspiring performance against the All Blacks of New Zealand on Thursday, President Hage Geingob also joined the chorus in hailing the Welwitschias’ courageous display.
Despite the world champions, New Zealand, running in nine tries, including two each for wingers Nehe Milner-Skudder and Julian Savea, as they powered to a 58-14 win over Namibia, the boys from the Land of the Brave refused to be turned into mere spectators and instead made the reigning champions look like novices at times.
The Namibian team, whose line-up included a dentist, some farmers and a diamond trader, fought bravely and ran their lungs out to avoid a humiliating defeat that was predicted by many renowned rugby pundits across the world.
Inspired by their plucky performance, President Geingob on Thursday – immediately after the match – took to Twitter to congratulate the Welwitschias for the unexpected, but yet encouraging performance. “Just called from New York to congratulate the boys on that excellent performance! We Gave Them Hell!” Geingob tweeted from New York, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly in the United States.
Determined not to be left behind, DTA president McHenry Venaani, took to Facebook to congratulate the team on their heroic performance. “I dedicate this post to our national rugby team, the Welwitschias, for the bravery they demonstrated. Sweat, blood and tears with all they had demonstrated the act of hard work, bravery and camaraderie, I am proud! Your resolve made all our people proud… you took the fight to their battles lines!”
Venaani, who is currently in Brussels, Belguim for the Africa Caribbean Pacific-European Union (ACP-EU) trade negotiations, said he would “call our coach and captain to convey our admiration and support! Welgedaan seuns trots op julle!” Venaani wrote on his official Facebook page.
Even the All Blacks coach, Steve Hansen, voiced frustration with the stop-start pattern of the game but gave full credit to Namibia. “I thought they committed themselves totally to the breakdown, to the tackle, competed well in the lineout, and they should be really, really proud of themselves,” he said.
“Half your team being amateurs and to get to an event like this is something special in itself. I’m happy to acknowledge they were worthy opponents, because at the end of the day they gave everything they could give.”