The Brave Warriors did not show enough desire to get anything from their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya on Tuesday, says Namibia head coach Collin Benjamin.
His side’s lethargic display in an empty Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg resulted in a 2-1 home defeat and left them rooted to the bottom of Group J, with no points after two matches.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars leapfrogged Cameroon, who were held goalless by Zimbabwe on Tuesday, to top the group on four points.
The Indomitable Lions lie second on goal difference, with Zimbabwe’s Warriors third on two points.
While acknowledging his side’s deficiencies, Benjamin credited Kenya for being “very clever” and said they merited the win.
Namibia appeared jaded following Saturday’s exertions, when they were unlucky to lose 1-0 away to Cameroon.
Defensive frailties and a lack of cutting edge up front were again the undoing of the Brave Warriors, as Kenya raced into a two goal lead through John Avire and Duke Abuya, before Deon Hotto got Namibia’s consolation with a superb freekick later on.
“For the simple reasons that I think we didn’t really cut into the game, we didn’t show energy, we didn’t show aggression, we didn’t show movement. And those are normally attributes that set us apart. In the end, that’s how we lost the game,” Benjamin told reporters after the clash.
But as underwhelming as the Brave Warriors were on Tuesday, and now with two losses to their name, there’s still hope to turn their qualification fortunes around, Benjamin said.
Namibia next face Zimbabwe’s Warriors in back-to-back encounters in October.
“After two games, and there’s still four left and for us to say that we’re going to put our head in the sand, I think most definitely not. It’s not me, not my team. This is a setback, probably also good that we have it early,” Benjamin said.
The final two games in the pool will be played in November, when Namibia will host Cameroon and travel away to Kenya.
“There’s still a lot to play for. There’s still going to be a lot of action in the group and I think it’s a lesson that we have to take very sternly and keep our heads up. We have to go back, we have to work,” Benjamin said.
Kenya coach Engin Firat feels the race for Morocco 2024 finals is far from over.
“I’m glad we managed to secure this win today. We want to win all six of our games to maintain our hopes, as I mentioned,” Firat said.
“Like I said from the beginning in this group everything is possible. I don’t believe that Namibia is out of the group.
“Namibia can even win their next two matches against Zimbabwe. All is possible, therefore, everything depends on the last day matches, and I hope in the last day everything is in our hand and we can take the ticket,” Firat noted.
Benjamin again lamented the absence of fans for home games, saying they would have lifted the Brave Warriors in a trying match such as Tuesday’s affair.
Namibia remains without a facility that meets the minimum requirements for hosting international football. Given the snail’s pace with which government is moving in renovating the Independence Stadium in Windhoek, the Warriors are likely to keep playing their home matches abroad until 2026.
“I think nobody can actually speak past it, that football is a game of emotions. It’s a coliseum. You need those gladiators to feel that they’re spectators,” said Benjamin.
“So, that obviously also has an effect, but we’ve been doing this now for four years. It shouldn’t be normal. It is our normal, but it shouldn’t be normal.”
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