The second leg of the African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifiers between Namibia and Lesotho concluded in dramatic fashion yesterday afternoon.
The match ended 4-3 on penalties after a 1-0 victory for Namibia, resulting in a 1-1 aggregate scoreline.
This thrilling contest took place at Toyota Stadium in South Africa, where tensions ran high as both teams fought fiercely for a place in the next round.
Namibia entered the match determined to overturn a narrow 1-0 loss they suffered in the first leg, where Lesotho’s Stigga Kalake had scored the only goal.
From the outset, Namibia displayed a commanding presence on the field, dominating ball possession during the first half.
However, despite their control, they struggled to penetrate Lesotho’s defence and create clear goal-scoring opportunities.
The turning point came in the 60th minute when Lawrence Doeseb scored for Namibia, levelling the aggregate score at 1-1, and igniting hopes of a comeback among the Namibian supporters.
The momentum seemed to shift in Namibia’s favour, and they almost took the lead in the 72nd minute.
Willy ‘Awillo’ Stephanus had a golden chance to score, but Lesotho’s goalkeeper made an impressive save, denying Namibia the breakthrough they desperately sought.
With the match locked at 1-1 and no further goals in regulation or extra time, the outcome was decided by a penalty shootout.
In a tense series of spot kicks, Namibia’s Godwin Eiseb missed his penalty, putting Lesotho in the driver’s seat.
Although Kamaijanda Ndisiro, the goalkeeper for Namibia, showcased his skills with a remarkable save during the shootout, it was ultimately Charles Hambira who faltered under pressure, missing his chance by sending the ball soaring over the crossbar.
As a result of this gripping match, Lesotho secured their place in the next round, where they will face Angola.
The next phase of the qualifiers is scheduled for 20 to 22 December, and 27 to 29 December.
The victors of this round will earn a coveted spot in the final competition, set to take place from 1 to 28 February 2025 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The Chan tournament, organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) since its inception in 2009, is a unique biennial event that allows only players participating in their national league competitions to compete, further highlighting the local talent within African football.