Maqonda Ndlovu
The Brave Gladiators beat Ghana by a 1-0 scoreline in the second leg of the final qualifying round of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) tournament at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on Tuesday.
Having lost 3-1 in Accra, Ghana last week, Namibia needed to win by two clear goals to qualify for the 2024 Wafcon tournament, scheduled for Morocco.
FC Ongos’ gangling defender Lydiana Nanamus scored Namibia’s only goal in the 22nd minute via a well-worked set-piece to keep Namibia’s dreams of qualifying alive. Ghana had created the first chance of the match. But after Namibia took the lead, their confidence grew as they started creating half-chances, but found the Ghana defence solid.
The second half saw Ghana take control of the game and create a flurry of chances through Doris Boaduwaa, Stella Nyamekye, Vivian Konadu and substitute Gifty Assifuah, which they failed to convert.
Namibia had their chances too through talismanic Zenatha Coleman, whose free-kicks gave the Ghanaian goalkeeper all sorts of problems, with Memory Ngonda, Juliana Blou and Lovisa Mulunga coming close.
Coach Paulus Shipanga (who could not sit on the bench because of suspension) was despondent in defeat, saying the three goals in Ghana were the team’s downfall. “We had a game plan for the
second leg. Unfortunately, we couldn’t score the second goal which would have killed the match. In any football match, playing at home gives you that support; the 12th player who gives you an advantage. We played our home game in SA, and Ghana had more fans than us,” Shipanga said.
He added that in Ghana, the team did not play well, hence changes were made for the second leg, with Mulunga playing in midfield.
“It’s a mixed feeling for me. I don’t know if I should be happy we beat Ghana, or I should be sad that we did not qualify. One thing I know is that I am proud of the girls. Under the circumstances, they did extremely well,” he continued. The Gladiators were their own worst enemies in the first leg, conceding three goals from mistakes which they could have avoided. Stand-
in coach Woody Jacobs was full of praise for the team, saying everything they planned for was penned out, except getting the goals. “This team can only get better. Well done to the team. They still have a lot to offer. It’s a pity we did not qualify. Going forward, we should start a lot earlier with preparations. We need to start planning for 2026 now, and play lots of friendlies. We must expose new players to playing on the continent,” he added. - jrnmarko@gmail.com