A brace from captain Peter Shalulile was enough to ensure that the Brave Warriors finished their 2021 Afcon qualifiers on a high with a 2-1 win over the qualified Guinea on Sunday afternoon.
In the heat of the Sam Nujoma Stadium, Guinea took the lead against the run of play on 17 minutes through Mamadou Kane’s boot after some enterprising play down the right for the visitors.
Namibia regrouped and Manfred Starke attempt to thread one through for captain Peter Shalulile but was thwarted by the alert Guinea defence.
Toward the end of the first half, Dynamo Fredericks cracked one from 30 metres out that Guinea goalkeeper Mousa Camara just managed to keep out.
In added time of the first half, Deon Hotto raced down the left wing and sent in a cross that Peter Shalulile headed home from 17 metres out to draw Namibia level on the stroke of half time.
In the second half, the sides were cagey until 57 minutes in when Starke connected with a Hanamub cross in the the box, with the former’s shot going over the bar.
Namibia continued to grow in confidence and they spread passes around and defended well.
Shalulile headed towards the goalmouth from a Stephanus cross but Camara flew high to save it on 69 minutes.
Joslin Kamatuka and Marcel Papama came in for Hotto and Fredericks with 14 minutes left.
Shalulile then got his second goal of the match on 77 minutes as he poked home a loose ball from inside a crowded box.
The Mamelodi Sundowns striker was on a hat-trick but saw his header fly into the stands, albeit offside from a Hanamub cross at 90 minutes.
It was then a special moment for Young Warriors star Prince Tjiueza who came on for Stephanus to make his debut for the senior side.
The score was not enough to take Namibia to consecutive Afcon finals but surely restored pride for the Brave Warriors.
Brave Warriors vs Guinea: Virgil Vries, Ivan Kamberipa, Denzil Haoseb, Ananias Gebhardt, Riaan Hanamub, Wesley Katjiteo, Dynamo Fredericks, Willy Stephanus, Deon Hotto, Manfred Starke, Peter Shalulile (captain). – nfa.org.na
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!
