Warriors produce the goods

THE experience of Namibian international Collin Benjamin clearly came to the fore as he slotted the only and winning goal for the Brave Warriors against Libya in an African Nations Cup qualifier at the Independence Stadium on Saturday.

Benjamin made use of his physique and experience to shoot a low flying shot past the advancing Libyan goalie in the fourth minute, after a perfect pass from the midfield by Meraai Swartbooi, who made his debut for the national team. Benjamin, who plays for Bundesliga side Hamburg SV in Germany, stood tall during the entire match with his threatening runs into the box and his unpredictable shots at goal.The Namibian Sport voted Benjamin as the Man of the Match, but his efforts were well complemented by a determined Namibian side which took the game to the visitors, ultimately earning the home side a crucial victory.Namibia moved into the second spot with six points in Group 10 behind the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who currently stand on seven points after their 1-0 loss to Ethiopia on Friday.Ethiopia are also on six points, but have a minus one goal difference, compared to Namibia which has a zero goal difference.Libya are at the base of the table with four points.Namibia will meet the DRC in Windhoek on June 16, another crucial match for the Warriors to win to ensure an entry to the continent’s biggest football showpiece in Ghana next year.The win has restored some calm into the Namibian camp, which was earlier in the week hit by the resignation of key defender George Hummel, while Bamfuchile was the target of insults by some irate members of the public.Bamfuchile said he was generally happy with the performance, but the three points were the most important for now.He said the win was a perfect morale booster for the players ahead of the DRC match, which will also be played at the Independence Stadium.Bamfuchile used Benjamin as his main hitman on the day, in the absence of a key striker for the national side.The Brave Warriors’ technical staff can consider calling up Oshakati City striker Cascas Angula, who can be a possible solution to the striking department.Angula ended the premiership season as the third highest goal scorer after William Chilufya of Civics and Rudolph Bester of Eleven Arrows.Attendance at the stadium also spurred on the Warriors, who had a more coordinated display, especially in defence where Michael Pienaar, Hartman Toromba and Gotlieb Nakuta kept matters under control.Civics defender Franklin April had a torrid time in keeping guard against the problematic Libyan forward Ali Rahuma, while Oliver Risser, captain Robert Nauseb and Letu Shatimuene all had solid performances in midfield.Namibia could have scored a second goal if a rebound by Shatimuene had not flown over the crossbar in the 17th minute.The visitors were unlucky not to equalise about a minute later after a thunderous drive from about 30 metres by Nader Abousalam hit the post, with Warriors goalie Abisai Shiningayamwe failing to come close to it.Nauseb, Shatimuene and Plaatjies all had fantastic shots at goal that kept the Libyan goalie busy throughout the match.In the last minute, Namibia were once again lucky to escape a shot by Naje Shushan, which also hit the crossbar.The result in the end seemed to have lifted the spirit of the players as they applauded the fans for their support after the match, while the mood among many spectators was that of optimism for the future.Benjamin, who plays for Bundesliga side Hamburg SV in Germany, stood tall during the entire match with his threatening runs into the box and his unpredictable shots at goal.The Namibian Sport voted Benjamin as the Man of the Match, but his efforts were well complemented by a determined Namibian side which took the game to the visitors, ultimately earning the home side a crucial victory.Namibia moved into the second spot with six points in Group 10 behind the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who currently stand on seven points after their 1-0 loss to Ethiopia on Friday.Ethiopia are also on six points, but have a minus one goal difference, compared to Namibia which has a zero goal difference.Libya are at the base of the table with four points.Namibia will meet the DRC in Windhoek on June 16, another crucial match for the Warriors to win to ensure an entry to the continent’s biggest football showpiece in Ghana next year.The win has restored some calm into the Namibian camp, which was earlier in the week hit by the resignation of key defender George Hummel, while Bamfuchile was the target of insults by some irate members of the public.Bamfuchile said he was generally happy with the performance, but the three points were the most important for now.He said the win was a perfect morale booster for the players ahead of the DRC match, which will also be played at the Independence Stadium.Bamfuchile used Benjamin as his main hitman on the day, in the absence of a key striker for the national side.The Brave Warriors’ technical staff can consider calling up Oshakati City striker Cascas Angula, who can be a possible solution to the striking department.Angula ended the premiership season as the third highest goal scorer after William Chilufya of Civics and Rudolph Bester of Eleven Arrows.Attendance at the stadium also spurred on the Warriors, who had a more coordinated display, especially in defence where Michael Pienaar, Hartman Toromba and Gotlieb Nakuta kept matters under control.Civics defender Franklin April had a torrid time in keeping guard against the problematic Libyan forward Ali Rahuma, while Oliver Risser, captain Robert Nauseb and Letu Shatimuene all had solid performances in midfield.Namibia could have scored a second goal if a rebound by Shatimuene had not flown over the crossbar in the 17th minute.The visitors were unlucky not to equalise about a minute later after a thunderous drive from about 30 metres by Nader Abousalam hit the post, with Warriors goalie Abisai Shiningayamwe failing to come close to it.Nauseb, Shatimuene and Plaatjies all had fantastic shots at goal that kept the Libyan goalie busy throughout the match.In the last minute, Namibia were once again lucky to escape a shot by Naje Shushan, which also hit the crossbar.The result in the end seemed to have lifted the spirit of the players as they applauded the fans for their support after the match, while the mood among many spectators was that of optimism for the future.