Namibia’s Brave Warriors suffered a 2-0 defeat against Kazakhstan in their first-ever International Federation of Football Associations (Fifa) series showdown this week, with the hosts capitalising on home advantage.
Though the ball possession statistics show minimal difference between the two nations, Kazakhstan secured the only two goals of the match, giving them the victory.
The defeat leaves Namibia at the bottom of the group with no points while Kazakhstan’s good run brings them to the top of the summit on three points.
Namibia will play Comoros on Saturday, in what is expected to be a real battle for the group’s runner-up status.
Brave Warriors captain Riaan Hanamub emphasises the team’s determination to start the year on a strong note. However, that determination proves fragile.
Hanamub says: “This is our first match of the year, and we want to set the tone for what lies ahead.”
Although head coach Collin Benjamin has called up seven new players, the Fifa Series is not the place to experiment with new talent, as the matches will affect the national team’s next world ranking.
Namibia’s defeat to Kazakhstan recorded the Brave Warriors’ fifth consecutive defeat. The Warriors have a daunting task to overcome against Comoros after their two international friendly defeats in 2025, losing 4-0 and 1-0. The Brave Warriors’ 2025 run was marred by other losses: a 3-0 defeat against Tunisia in the Fifa World Cup qualifiers, and another 3-1 defeat to Liberia also in the Fifa World Cup qualifying encounter.
Qazinform News Agency, citing Sports.kz, reports that the match held at Astana Arena, officiated by Belarusian referee Viktor Shimusik, started with Temirlan Anarbekov, Aleksandr Mrynskiy, Alibek Kasym, Nuraly Alip, Yan Vorogovsky, Islambek Kuat, Ramazan Orazov, Islam Chesnokov, Maksim Samorodov, Galymzhan Kenzhebek and Ivan Sviridov, while Namibia fielded Kamaijanda Ndisiro, Riaan Hanamub, Ngero Katua, Charles Hambira, Paulus Amutenya, Tjipee Karuoombe, Dwain Kinda, Aprocius Petrus, Bethuel Muzeu, Mashiku Muyeka and Nestor Iiyambo.
The match began as an evenly contested affair, with the visitors nearly opening the scoring, but Muzeu’s effort struck the post. Kazakhstan took the lead after a cross into the Namibian penalty area caused confusion, which allowed Vorogovsky to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Both sides continued to create chances, and early in the second half, substitute Aybol Abiken hit the crossbar from inside the box. Namibia pushed for an equaliser, but Kazakhstan doubled their lead when Alibek Kasym headed home from a corner to make it 2–0.
Kazakhstan will play its second match of the tournament against the Comoros on 31 March.
The Fifa Series is aimed at strengthening ties between national teams from different parts of the world.
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