Warriors aim to keep AFCON qualifying hopes alive
Namibia’s Brave Warriors are set to face Zimbabwe this afternoon in a crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group J qualifier at the Orlando Stadium in South Africa. The match, which kicks off at 15:00, will be played behind closed doors due to financial constraints faced by the Namibia Football Association (NFA).The stakes couldn’t be higher for Collin Benjamin’s men as they seek to revive their qualification campaign after a rocky start, having suffered two back-to-back defeats against Cameroon and Kenya. A 2-1 defeat to Kenya last month saw the Brave Warriors drop to fourth place in Group J, leaving them in desperate need of a win to keep their AFCON hopes alive.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have fared slightly better, drawing both of their opening matches against Kenya and Cameroon. Despite being undefeated, they are yet to claim a victory and currently sit third in the group standings, just two points ahead of Namibia.
Namibia’s head-to-head record against Zimbabwe is promising, having secured four wins in their last five encounters. However, the Brave Warriors will need to be at their very best to break their current losing streak and secure all three points.
The absence of fans at today’s match will certainly be felt, as the NFA faces ongoing challenges in meeting the financial demands for stadium security costs. However, NFA spokesperson Isack Hamata has assured that the association is focused on ensuring a smooth delivery of the match, despite the constraints.
Today’s clash is a must-win for Namibia as they look to climb up the Group J standings and keep their dreams of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON alive. Football fans across the nation will be watching closely, hoping for a positive outcome that could turn the tide in favour of the Brave Warriors.