The Brave Warriors suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against Burundi yesterday in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification, inflicting a setback to their aspirations of securing a spot in next year’s tournament in Ivory Coast.
Despite the loss, the Warriors maintain their position at the top of Group C with five points, closely followed by Cameroon and Burundi who are tied on four points. Cameroon sit in second place because of their superior head-to-head against Burundi.
Namibia’s qualification now lie in the hands of the outcome of the match between Cameroon and Burundi in September.
A draw between the two sides will effectively knock Namibia out of the 2023 Afcon finals in Ivory Coast, while a victory for any of the two sides will see Namibia qualify as runner-up.
The game got off to a rocky start for Namibia, as they conceded three easy goals within the opening 20 minutes.
The first goal came from Abedi Bgirimana in the first minute before Kaizer Chiefs striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana added the second in the ninth minute.
Hussein Shabani made it three in the 19th minute as the Brave Warriors defenders were finding themselves in sixes and sevens.
Coach Collin Benjamin wasted no time in hauling off the bemused duo of Denzil Hoaseb and Riaan Hanamub within 30 minutes of the first half. The introduction of Kennedy Hamutenya and Aprocious Petrus stabilised the Namibian defenders, with the Brave Warriors registering their first shot on target through captain Peter Shalulile to make it 3-1 at the break.
In the second half, the team displayed great determination, relentlessly pressuring their opponents and creating several scoring opportunities that unfortunately went unconverted.
In the 55th minute, Bethuel Muzeu took a shot from outside the box, only to have it punched out by the goalkeeper.
With just 10 minutes remaining, Jwaneng Galaxy forward Wendell Rudath struck a superb goal from outside the box, bringing the Warriors to two goals.
Speaking soon after the match Benjamin said Burundi took their chances, which Namibia lacked.
“We lost this match in the first 15 minutes of the game. We did not concentrate, we did not take responsibility and not being decisive and courageous to make the right decisions. We let them get very easy goals. At this level if you allow teams to get easy games you will be punished,” he said.
He added that the Brave Warriors put up a good fight at the end of the match and they will take the lessons and improve.
He added that Namibia’s fate is not in their hands, as his teams lost the chance to decide their its fate.
-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na