Namibia’s Young Warriors gaffer James Britz has said lack of experience and inadequate match fitness were the two key factors in his side’s 0-1 shock defeat to Comoros in Saturday’s Cosafa Cup opening match at the Somhlolo stadium in Lobamba, Eswatini.
As expected, the Young Warriors, who had the lion’s share of possession in the opening half as Comoros fought off the continuous attacks, could, however, not convert their chances as the two teams went into the changeover 0-0.
Coming into the second stanza, the islanders looked dangerous at times when going forward, with the trio – Nawir Maoulida, Yakine Said and Andilidine Baco – combining well in transitional play.
They looked at the better side and almost broke the deadlock when Said almost found the roof of the net from close range with the keeper well beaten after a good interchange of passes in the box.
The Islanders eventually did the unthinkable when Glenn Younousse found the back of the net with a well-taken strike to the surprise of their opponents in the 77th minute for a 1-0 lead.
Namibia, who are the 2020 Cosafa Cup silver medalists, tried fighting back through an avalanche of attacks in search of an equaliser but the Comoros backline was many a time equal to the task, as the islanders cruised to morale boosting 1-0 win over the young Namibians.
“We really played great football, especially in the first half. We also created many goal-scoring chances – and the boys really knocked the ball around very well, but we failed to take our opportunities, and they punished us for that. We could have scored plenty of goals and possibly win the match, but the boys didn’t take the chances,” said Britz.
The Young Warriors will today face South Africa at the Mavuso stadium in Manzini before concluding their group matches with a clash against Malawi on Wednesday.
– ohembapu@nepc.com.na