NAMIBIA are just one step away from the 2020 Chan finals in Cameroon after beating the Comoros Islands on aggregate over the weekend.
On Sunday, Namibia were held to a frustrating goalless draw, but their two away goals the previous weekend proved decisive as they progressed 2-0 to the final qualifying round where they will take on Madagascar next month.
On Sunday, Namibia started with a bang creating several chances in the opening quarter of the match.
Midfielder Marcell Papama had a great match, thrilling the crowd with his skills and providing some good crosses into the box, but Namibia’s strikers Elmo Kambindu and Junias Theophelus could not put them away.
With Larry Horaeb also provided some good crosses from the right wing and Absalom Iimbondi some strong attacks through the centre, more chances came Namibia’s way, but poor finishing and desperate defence by the visitors kept them at bay.
Namibia coach Bobby Samaria brought playmaker Gustav Isaak on in the second half and he soon made an impression with his dribbling skills and penetrative passes.
He also came close to scoring, having a shot well saved by the Comoros keeper on 70 minutes and then shooting narrowly wide five minutes later after being set up by Immanuel Heita.
Wendell Rudath and Issaskar Gurirab were also brought on in the final quarter to good effect, but their final efforts failed to find the target.
Despite the lack of goals, interim coach Bobby Samaria said they had controlled the match.
“In the first few minutes we created a couple of chances and missed two sitters – unfortunately we could not put them away but that’s the way of football. But the good thing is that we did not concede any goals, we managed the game and controlled the entire match,” he said.
“We created more chances in the second half that we could not convert, but I’m glad that we at least played positive and attacking football, and we played with confidence,” he added.
Namibia will now play Madagascar in the final Chan qualifying round next month after they beat Mozambique on away goals, following a 3-2 defeat in Maputo on Sunday.
Madagascar won their home leg match 1-0 on 28 July, and then lost 3-2 in Maputo on Sunday to go through on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate score.
According to an AFP report, Mozambique raced to a three-goal half-time lead through a Luis Miquissone brace and one goal from Dayo Antonio.
But Madagascar netted twice early in the second half via Arnaud Randrianantenaina and Lalaina Nomenjanahary to book a showdown with Namibia.
South Africa, meanwhile, crashed out of the tournament after a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Lesotho on Sunday.
The hosts were forced to field a young, makeshift side because the fixture clashed with the opening round of the South African Premiership and clubs refused to release stars.
However, after losing only 3-2 away in the first leg of a second round tie last weekend, South Africa were expected to secure an overall victory and book a date with Zimbabwe.
Instead, Lesotho held South Africa until half-time, then Jane Thaba Ntso scored twice and Hlompho Kalake once to give the visitors a 6-2 aggregate triumph.
Kenya were another second round casualty after losing 4-1 on penalties in Nairobi following a second 0-0 draw with east African neighbours Tanzania in successive weekends.
Erasto Nyoni, Paulo Nyanganya, Gadiel Michael and Salim Hamis converted spot-kicks for the visitors while only Clifton Miheso was on target for the home side.
Togo ended an 11-year wait for a first Chan qualifying win when they edged Benin 1-0 in Lome through a Marouf Tchakei goal on 70 minutes.
It was the lone goal of the two-leg tie and earned Togo a crack at 2018 runners-up Nigeria in the final qualifying round during September and October.
Prince Dube emulated Ugandan Patrick Kaddu by scoring a second leg hat-trick, which gave Zimbabwe a 3-1 win over Mauritius in Bulawayo and a 7-1 overall success.
The Nations Championship is restricted to footballers playing in their country of birth.
Previous editions have been won by the Democratic Republic of Congo (twice), Tunisia, Libya and Morocco. – Additional reporting by AFP.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
