THE Brave Warriors are out of the Cosafa Cup after losing 4-3 on penalties to Zambia on Saturday afternoon.
After a goalless 90 minutes the match went to penalties and with Namibia missing two spot kicks, Zambia went on to win the shootout 4-3 to book a place in the semifinals.
Namibia started off well with Deon Hotto and Riaan Hanamub providing good crosses from the wings, but Panduleni Nekundi and Vitapi Ngaruka wasted some early chances.
With Namibia dominating possession more chances came their way, but Teberius Lombard and Dynamo Fredericks also wasted chances, with the former shooting over the bar with a long range effort, while the latter volleyed over the bar from close range.
Zambia were also wasteful with the few chances that came their way, with Lazarous Kambole, Kelvin Mubanga and John Ching’andu all shooting wide.
Nekundi came close for Namibia early in the second half, but Zambia started looking more dangerous and it took two excellent saves by Namibian keeper Max Mbaeva to deny Ching’andu.
Itamunua Keimuine replaced Absalom Iimbondi on 62 minutes, but barely two minutes later Nekundi hobbled off with an injury and had to be replaced by Willem Pinehas.
The opposing two keepers brought off some fine saves in the final quarter with Toaster Nsabata denying Keimuine and Pinehas, while Mbaeva saved from Jackson Chirwa.
The match headed into penalties and Zambia immediately took the lead when Ronald Ketjijere’s shot was brilliantly saved by Nsabata.
When Hanamub hit the crossbar Namibia were suddenly 2-0 down, and although Kambole hit the post, Zambia prevailed with Clatous Chama scoring the winning goal.
Namibia have now been demoted to the Cosafa Plate division where they will play the loser between South Africa and Madagascar on Tuesday.
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