Namibia knocked out of Youth Cup

A headed goal in the 88th minute of the game by Burundian midfielder Diomede Ngabo knocked Namibia out of the Confederation of African Football Youth Championships at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium on Saturday night.

After a 1-all draw in Bujumbura on June 27, Namibia just needed a home draw to advance to the next round, but despite numerous opportunities, it was not to be. Namibia attacked from the onset and striker Lazarus Kaimbi and midfielder Simon Ouseb both came close in the opening minutes.Burundi weathered the early pressure before striker Omar Hakizimana came close on two occasions.First his 9th minute freekick just missed the Namibian goal and then Namibian goalie Maximilian Mbaeva pulled off a great save from Hakizimana’s cross.Mbaeva inspired his team mates with some spectacular and fearless saves in the first half as the visitors continuously broke through Namibia’s defence.First he blocked a shot by Burundi’s classy midfielder Divin Gateretse who had ghosted past his marker, and then he pulled off a spectacular point-blank save from a cracking Ngabo volley.Mbaeva pulled off further saves against Henry Mbazumutima and Michel Ndayishimiye, as Namibia’s central defence of Gotlieb Nakuta, Werner Waputauka and Ivan Makina was caught napping time and again.Namibia however also had a few good opportunities in an exciting half of free-flowing soccer.Strikers Kaimbi and Lance Smith were a constant thorn in Burundi’s defence with their never-say-die attitude as they regularly stole possession, and both had shots blocked by some desperate defending.In injury time of the first half Gateretse headed in a goal from after Mbaeva fumbled a cross, but the goal was disallowed for offside.Chances continued to go abegging on either side in the second half.Smith put in a fine run and cross to Wicliff Kambonde which Burundi’s goalie just managed to clear, while Mbazumutima rounded his marker only to see his shot shave the upright.Namibia’s second half substitute Eddy Tjivera impressed with his ball control, while Simon Ouseb laid on a great throughball for Minardo Shapwa, which Burundi’s goalie just managed to clear.As the match entered the final minutes a draw seemed inevitable, but Burundi had other ideas.From an 88th minute freekick Ngabo rose high and unopposed to head the ball into the net and send his teammates as well as about 30 Burundi supporters crazy.The goal knocked the stuffing out of Namibia who had nothing more to offer, while Burundi finished the stronger side.Just before the final whistle Mbazumutima once again brke through the defence, but his angled shot hit the sidenetting.Namibia attacked from the onset and striker Lazarus Kaimbi and midfielder Simon Ouseb both came close in the opening minutes.Burundi weathered the early pressure before striker Omar Hakizimana came close on two occasions.First his 9th minute freekick just missed the Namibian goal and then Namibian goalie Maximilian Mbaeva pulled off a great save from Hakizimana’s cross.Mbaeva inspired his team mates with some spectacular and fearless saves in the first half as the visitors continuously broke through Namibia’s defence.First he blocked a shot by Burundi’s classy midfielder Divin Gateretse who had ghosted past his marker, and then he pulled off a spectacular point-blank save from a cracking Ngabo volley.Mbaeva pulled off further saves against Henry Mbazumutima and Michel Ndayishimiye, as Namibia’s central defence of Gotlieb Nakuta, Werner Waputauka and Ivan Makina was caught napping time and again.Namibia however also had a few good opportunities in an exciting half of free-flowing soccer.Strikers Kaimbi and Lance Smith were a constant thorn in Burundi’s defence with their never-say-die attitude as they regularly stole possession, and both had shots blocked by some desperate defending.In injury time of the first half Gateretse headed in a goal from after Mbaeva fumbled a cross, but the goal was disallowed for offside.Chances continued to go abegging on either side in the second half.Smith put in a fine run and cross to Wicliff Kambonde which Burundi’s goalie just managed to clear, while Mbazumutima rounded his marker only to see his shot shave the upright.Namibia’s second half substitute Eddy Tjivera impressed with his ball control, while Simon Ouseb laid on a great throughball for Minardo Shapwa, which Burundi’s goalie just managed to clear.As the match entered the final minutes a draw seemed inevitable, but Burundi had other ideas.From an 88th minute freekick Ngabo rose high and unopposed to head the ball into the net and send his teammates as well as about 30 Burundi supporters crazy.The goal knocked the stuffing out of Namibia who had nothing more to offer, while Burundi finished the stronger side.Just before the final whistle Mbazumutima once again brke through the defence, but his angled shot hit the sidenetting.