Zimbabwe aims for another victory over Namibia in AFCON qualifiers
Zimbabwe is looking to secure a second consecutive victory over Namibia when the two teams meet again on Monday night at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg. The crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, set for a 6:00 PM CAT kick-off, will be a key test for both sides as they vie for progress in Group J.
The Warriors of Zimbabwe boosted their campaign last Thursday with a 1-0 win against Namibia, moving them into second place in the group.
Khama Billiat, who recently returned to international football, scored the decisive goal, making a triumphant comeback on South African soil.
Zimbabwe hopes to build on that momentum in the upcoming fixture as they continue their push for a place in the 2025 AFCON tournament.
Currently, Namibia finds themselves at the bottom of Group J, having suffered three consecutive defeats in the qualification stage.
The Brave Warriors have struggled to find their form, and Monday’s game represents a must-win opportunity for them to keep their slim hopes of qualification alive.
Warriors coach Micheal Nees is counting on the support of Zimbabwe’s passionate fan base in South Africa to help drive his team to another victory.
Speaking ahead of the game, Nees called on fans to fill the stands and rally behind their team, even if they were initially critical of the squad’s performances.
“We need the spectators, even if they are critical.
We want to turn them around and make them cheer for us. Spectators are essential, otherwise football becomes boring,” Nees said, highlighting the importance of the crowd in such high-stakes matches.
Namibia, on the other hand, will look to turn their fortunes around after a frustrating outing last week.
Despite the loss, Brave Warriors coach Colin Benjamin believes his side was the stronger team and created more opportunities to score.
Reflecting on the previous match, Benjamin expressed disappointment with the result but remained optimistic about his team’s chances in the rematch.
“I believe my team was the better side; we created more chances,” Benjamin stated. “In the second half, we played good football, and I counted nine chances that we failed to convert.
It’s painful to sit here with zero points and zero goals, especially knowing we were the better team.”
In terms of team news, Zimbabwe will be without several key players due to injury.
Munashe Garananga, Tino Kadewere, and Tawanda Chirewa are all sidelined for the upcoming game, while Namibia has no significant injury concerns heading into Monday’s encounter.
The recent victory over Namibia has given Zimbabwe a crucial confidence boost, but the historical record between the two sides remains competitive.
In their last five meetings, Zimbabwe has secured two wins, while Namibia claimed three victories. Both teams will be determined to come out on top in this vital AFCON qualifier as they fight for their place in the prestigious tournament.
