Namibia go past South Africa

NAMIBIA’S national Under-17 soccer team staged a great comeback to beat their South African counterparts 3-2 in a friendly international match at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Sunday.

South Africa took the lead just before halftime, when they capitalised on a Namibian defensive error, but Namibia struck back to take the lead with two goals in two minutes by striker Benson Shilongo. South Africa soon equalised, but Namibia finished stronger, launching numerous attacks and eventually scored the winner through African Stars striker Ikuaterua Tjozongoro with 20 minutes to go.The Namibia Football Association hosted the match after a request by South Africa for a practise match and the visitors soon made their presence felt with some early attacks.Their diminutive midfielder Sakile Ngubo and striker Thabani Mthembu kept Namibia’s defence busy with their strong probes, but Temberius Lombard, Alpheus Handura and captain Oswaldo Xamseb kept Namibia’s defence intact.Just before halftime the visitors took a fortunate lead when Ngubo pounced onto a poor goal kick by Namibian defender Charles Uirab and beat Namibian keeper Collin Ndjai from close range.Namibia came back revitalised after the break and won a penalty after Oshakati City striker Benson Shilongo was fouled in the visitors’ box. Shilongo stepped up himself and made no mistake with the spot kick.From the kick-off Namibia immediately went on the attack and when Petrus Shitembi sent in a cross from the left, Shilongo burst into the box to volley the ball into the net.South Africa however came and caught Namibia’s defence napping when a long cross into the box where an unmarked Thabani Mthembu scored at the far post. Namibia however finished stronger with Sydney Urikhob, Neville Tjiueza and substitute Ikuaterua Tjozongoro putting in some powerful attacks.The winning goal came after a great throughball by Shilongo caught Siuth Africa’s defence flatfooted, as Tjozongoro raced through to stab the ball into the net from close range.Shilongo nearly completed his hat trick in the final minutes when he latched onto a Xamseb cross but his volley went inches wide of the upright.www.namibiasport.com.na