NAMIBIA winger Deon Hotto has hailed the Brave Warriors  for qualifying for the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the team’s history following their 0-0 draw with Mali on Wednesday.

Namibia finished third in Group E, but this was enough for them to advance to the last 16, where they will take on COSAFA rivals and neighbours Angola, a fixture that will keep them dreaming of more success.

“It wasn’t easy. We fought to the last minute, until the final whistle. This qualification means a lot for Namibia,” Orlando Pirates star Hotto said. “When we arrived at the match, we already knew if we got a point, we would qualify.

“But we tried to have a low (defensive) block and take advantage of a few transitions. Mali is a very strong team, especially on these sides, so we played low. We contained them but we also created chances.”

Hotto says the side gained confidence as the game progressed, and they will take that into their clash against Angola.

“It was our day. As the match went on, you could see that nothing could happen to us,” he said. Angola and Namibia will know each other incredibly well from recent COSAFA Cup tournaments, though they have not met since 2011, and while Angola will be favourites, Namibia coach Collin Benjamin will have to devise a plan to outsmart them. Their blow-out 4-0 loss to Bafana Bafana aside, Namibia have looked solid before and during this Cup of Nations. 

– SuperSport