TWO second half goals from Joslyn Kamatuka and Absalom Iimbondi gave the Brave Warriors a 2-1 win over Mozambique in the opening Group B game at the Cosafa Cup on Sunday in Durban.
The two sides, having played each other so many times recently, met in the opening game of Group B and it was Mozambique that had the upper hand in the opening 10 minutes.
Joslyn Kamatuka led the line for Namibia, who gave debuts to Aubrey Amseb and Wesley Katjiteo.
Loydt Kazapua captained the side and started in goal for Namibia while Charles Hambira and Vitapo Ngaruka renewed their central pairing.
The Warriors didnt create many chances in the first half, with only Katjiteo and Marcel Papama having shots on target.
Namibia however took the lead midway through the second half when Iimbondi raced down the right wing and sent in a cross that Kamatuka tapped in.
Mozambique soon replied and they got the equaliser through a well taken free-kick by substitute Witi who let fly and left Kazapua with no chance to make it 1-1 on 78 minutes.
But Namibia had the final say when Iimbondi scored the winner on 82 minutes as he received the ball on the far left, turned and unleashed a cracking shot into the top corner.
Namibia held on to the win and Iimbondi won the Man of the Match award for his assist and goal.
Llewellyn Stanley and McCartney Naweseb also made their international debut, coming on for Amseb and Dynamo Fredericks.
Namibia will now play Malawi on Tuesday, 17h30 at the King Zelitwini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban in their second Group B game.
Braves Warriors vs Mozambique: Kazapua, Hambira, Horaeb, Fredericks, Amseb, Iimbondi, Katjiteo, Kamatuka, Papama, Ngaruka and Kambanda. – nfa.org.na
