Under 20s in goalless draw with Botswana

NAMIBIA’S under 20 football side on Friday played to a goalless draw with Botswana in a Confederation of African Football (Caf) Youth Championships match at the Kuisebmund Stadium at Walvis Bay.

The Namibians could have scored at least three goals after both Wilfred Coetzee and substitute Timotheus Iipinge missed clear chances. Ipinge, who came in for Letu Shatimwene in the second half, first blasted the ball past the upright post, before he headed another clear chance into the hands of the visitors goalkeeper.Coetzee had a golden opportunity of converting an indirect free-kick on the edge of the box, but casually shot into the Botswana goalie’s hands.The visitors took initiative from within the second half of the match, but after realising that the match was headed for a draw, wasted time which led to the free-kick that Coetzee failed to convert.Late in the second half the Namibian juniors were reduced to 10 men after defender Zedekia Haukambe was shown red for a second bookable offence.Another player, Mark Isaacks, picked-up an injury after Namibia had used up all its three substitutes and so he could not be replaced.A team official told The Namibian Sport yesterday that the home side could have easily won the game if they had taken their chances which on the day were quite limited.He said Botswana played more defensively as they were at least hoping for a draw.Namibia will now travel to Gaborone after two weeks were they will be required to pull off a win in order to stay on in the competition.Ipinge, who came in for Letu Shatimwene in the second half, first blasted the ball past the upright post, before he headed another clear chance into the hands of the visitors goalkeeper.Coetzee had a golden opportunity of converting an indirect free-kick on the edge of the box, but casually shot into the Botswana goalie’s hands.The visitors took initiative from within the second half of the match, but after realising that the match was headed for a draw, wasted time which led to the free-kick that Coetzee failed to convert.Late in the second half the Namibian juniors were reduced to 10 men after defender Zedekia Haukambe was shown red for a second bookable offence.Another player, Mark Isaacks, picked-up an injury after Namibia had used up all its three substitutes and so he could not be replaced.A team official told The Namibian Sport yesterday that the home side could have easily won the game if they had taken their chances which on the day were quite limited.He said Botswana played more defensively as they were at least hoping for a draw.Namibia will now travel to Gaborone after two weeks were they will be required to pull off a win in order to stay on in the competition.