Africa-Press – Namibia. NAMIBIA are looking to build on the excellent 1-1 draw away to Cameroon when they face off again in Johannesburg today in a match that could secure 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification for the victor.
Buoyed by Friday’s result in the reverse clash in Yaoundé, the homeless Brave Warriors believe they can qualify for the finals in Ivory Coast in January.
The return fixture is set for the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, South Africa, where Namibia hope to score another upset to boost their qualification chances.
Namibia are second in the three-team pool with two points from their opening two games – one ahead of Burundi in third, who have also played two matches.
They will take a massive step towards a fourth continental finals appearance with a win over the Indomitable Lions.
“Our ambition in this competition is just to make it to Afcon and showcase Namibian talent. We have talent, and we also want to be on the (football) map,” says Brave Warriors skipper Peter Shalulile.
The prolific forward scored his record 14th international goal to put Namibia ahead in Friday’s game, but Cameroon equalised via an Olivier Kemen header with 18 minutes left on the clock.
That goal for Shalulile took him to the top of the all-time scorers list for Namibia, moving the Mamelodi Sundowns forward past Rudolf Bester, yet another record for a player who simply cannot stop scoring.
His coach, Collin Benjamin, praises Shalulile’s fighting spirit and for leading a team in transition from the front.
Benjamin understands all too well the pressures of the game and playing in the big time after a hugely successful playing career in the German Bundesliga.
“We have a very young and hungry team, one that wants to prove themselves. And to do that you need to play against the best in Africa,” Benjamin says.
“We know Cameroon is one of the top nations in Africa. They were at the World Cup (in Qatar), and we were all as Africans very proud of what they did. Our boys are also very hungry and want to go there (the World Cup) too,” he noted.
“This is the platform we need for us boys to show to Africa that Namibia is there and wants to play football.”
With the Kenyan federation currently suspended by Fifa, the three-team group gives Namibia an excellent chance of advancing as one of the top-two teams.
Their final qualifier is away in Burundi, scheduled for June.
Namibia last appeared at the Nations Cup finals when they reached the 2019 tournament in Egypt.
Their other appearances were in 1998 Burkina Faso and 2008 in Ghana, when Benjamin was captain.
“There are three teams in the group, and two will go through,” Benjamin says.
“Our mission will be to steal points and we want to be with the (best teams) at the Nations Cup next year. To do that you need to challenge the big boys,” the ex-Hamburg star says.
“We have the best possible team. The best we could put together, that has this burning ambition and wants to prove themselves.
“In football there is pressure all the time. We need to give Cameroon a good run for their money. Our strength is as a team collective, then the individual players bring their qualities into the team,” Benjamin says.
Namibia have been using South Africa as a base since June 2021, while their home venues in Windhoek are brought up to Confederation of African Football standard.
They have played four matches in Johannesburg, drawing with Congo and Burundi (both 1-1), and losing to Togo (0-1) and Senegal (1-3). – Adapted from Cosafa.com
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