The Brave Warriors of Namibia have inscribed their names in the annals of Namibian football history by reaching the knockout stages of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations for the first time ever.
This momentous achievement, celebrated by fans and players alike, stands as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and their head coach, Collin Benjamin.
Benjamin, a former captain of the national team, reflected on this remarkable milestone during an interview ahead of Namibia’s upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
While the historic success has certainly boosted the team’s morale, Benjamin emphasizes that the focus has shifted to the challenges that lie ahead.
The journey to this historic feat began earlier this year when Namibia shocked the continent with a stunning 1-0 victory over Tunisia, a team considered to be among the favorites. This was followed by a resilient performance against Mali, holding them to a goalless draw.
These crucial results secured Namibia’s place in the knockout stages of the competition, a first in the nation’s footballing history.
This success has not only raised Namibia’s profile across the continent but also demonstrated their potential on the international stage.
Currently leading Group H, the Brave Warriors have shown consistent performance with an awarded win over Equatorial Guinea and a convincing 2-0 victory over São Tomé and Príncipe.
Despite these achievements, Benjamin remains grounded and focused on the tasks ahead. He acknowledged the significance of their recent successes but stressed the importance of looking forward. “I think that is behind us. It is totally behind us.
The boys did good, the entire team and technical staff did well. They created a little bit of history for the country, which is really great for Namibian football, but this is now something that is definitely behind us,” said Benjamin.
Looking ahead to their upcoming fixtures against Liberia and Tunisia, Benjamin is aware of the heightened expectations and the increased scrutiny from their opponents.
“Our performance obviously makes the teams wary of us and so we know that it will be even harder than it was before. For us, we just focus and work on making our country proud,” he added.
With four appearances in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Namibia is yet to make its mark at the FIFA World Cup. This remains a dream for the Brave Warriors, but Benjamin insists that the team must take it one step at a time. “I think the nation and everyone out there can dream.
We are on the ball right now and it is a lot of work that needs to be done right now before we can even think of that. Sweat, tears, and maybe blood will be required. We have to take it game by game,” he explained.
As Namibia prepares for their Match Day 3 and 4 fixtures, the focus will be on maintaining their competitive edge and building on their historic success. The Brave Warriors will face Liberia on June 5th and Tunisia on June 9th, both matches set to take place at Orlando Stadium.
The entire nation will be rallying behind the team, hopeful that the Brave Warriors can continue to defy expectations and make further strides on the international stage.
The road to glory is challenging, but with the spirit and determination shown by the Brave Warriors, Namibia’s footballing future looks bright. The historic achievement in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations is just the beginning, and the nation eagerly anticipates what the future holds for their beloved team.
Photo: CAF Online
