Warriors’ Afcon hopes under threat
Football
Coach Collin Benjamin expects a renewed mindset, as the Zimbabwe fixtures become must-win.
The Brave Warriors’ hopes of qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations hang in the balance following their 2-1 “home” defeat against Kenya at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa, on Tuesday. Namibia entered the match in need of a win after they lost 1-0 to Cameroon three days before. The win for Kenya was only their third-ever against Namibia, who has won the head-to-head clash four times.
It may not be all lost for Collin Benjamin’s men, but it will now take plenty of effort to overcome the early deficit and keep their hopes alive of returning to the next Afcon tournament.
The Brave Warriors started off looking the better side on the ball, while the Kenyans sat back and absorbed the pressure in the first half. Despite creating slightly better chances, luck was not on the side of the Brave Warriors, as a Prins Tjiueza free-kick sailed narrowly over the cross-bar.
Instead, it was the Kenyans who broke the deadlock through striker John Avire’s free kick in the 58th minute, that curled in at the top corner despite goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua getting a hand to it.
Kenya's Harambee Stars doubled their lead with a counter-attacking cross that midfielder Duke Abuya converted in the 76th minute, leaving the home side scrambling to salvage something out of the match.
Deon Hotto’s spectacular free-kick in injury time was only enough to give the Brave Warriors a consolation goal in the match.
The lack of goal-scoring form of national team captain Peter Shalulile continued. The Mamelodi Sundowns marksman has now played seven internationals in 2024 and has not found the back of the net – with his last goal for Namibia coming against Burundi in June last year.
Shalulile had a header saved at the back post in the second half, while Tjiueza saw his goal-bound effort from range deflected just wide.
Slow start
As things stand, Brave Warriors remain rooted at the bottom of Group J with four matches remaining.
Namibia still has to play Zimbabwe twice, while still having to battle against continental giants Cameroon (at home) and Kenya (away) in their remaining fixtures.
The tricky part is that all three their group challengers have managed to gain points out of their fixtures so far, while the Warriors are yet to register a point.
Kenya tops the group with four points after Tuesday’s result, while the 0-0 draw between Cameroon and Zimbabwe in Kampala ensured that the Cameroonians take second spot with four points. Zimbabwe, who has been involved in two goalless draws in the last week, is placed third with two points.
This means that the Brave Warriors will have to at least beat Zimbabwe twice in their next fixtures, while hoping that Kenya and Cameroon can stumble with at least draws in their next fixtures.
Two nations from each qualifying group will book their spot to the continental finals in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
‘Lots to play for’
In his post-match media interview, Benjamin said it is too early for his team to bury their heads in the sand,.
“Kenya deserved the result, since we did not bring the attributes that normally sets us apart, such as energy, movement and aggression.
“With four fixtures left, there will still be lots of action and lots to play for in Group J. The must-win situation we find ourselves in against Zimbabwe will change our mind-set.
“We are a side in transition, with plenty of talented youngsters at home that we are grooming into international football. Balancing the transition with the need for results will produce ups and downs, as we saw tonight.
“I still believe this is a very good, hungry squad of players, although we need to find effective finishing in the attacking third, which we did not do tonight.”