In the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, Namibia is gearing up to defy expectations and create major upsets in their Group E pool.
The Brave Warriors, comfortably carrying the underdogs title, find themselves drawn against formidable opponents – Tunisia, South Africa, and Mali. The battleground for the group matches will be in Korhogo, and Namibia is determined to turn heads with their performance.
Having been eliminated in the first round in the 2019 edition in Egypt and missing out on the subsequent one in Cameroon, Namibia is eager to make a mark in the 2023 AFCON.
The group stage fixtures present challenges, with Namibia set to face Tunisia on January 16 at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly stadium in Korhogo, followed by a clash against South Africa on 21 January at the same venue.
The final group match will see Namibia taking on Mali on 24 January at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro.
Namibia’s journey to the AFCON 2023 has been marked by noteworthy performances in the qualifications.
In a group reduced to three teams due to the withdrawal of Kenya, the Brave Warriors showcased their mettle by finishing neck and neck with Cameroon, a quadruple African champion. Securing a 1-1 draw and a crucial 2-1 victory, Namibia earned their place in Cote d’Ivoire by finishing second in the group.
A key player to watch for Namibia is striker Peter Shalulile. Renowned for his sharpness in front of goal, Shalulile has consistently impressed with his performances at Mamelodi Sundowns, helping secure successive national titles.
As the captain of the national team, he is poised to be a disruptive force for opposing defenses during the AFCON.
Guiding Namibia’s campaign is the youngest coach in the competition, Collin Benjamin. At 45 years old, Benjamin is part of the rising generation of African coaches.
His mission is clear – to lead Namibia to Cote d’Ivoire and cause upsets against more fancied opponents. With a fresh perspective and a determined squad, Namibia is ready to rewrite their AFCON history and make a lasting impact on the 2023 tournament.
