Brave Warriors strike Mambas
Namibia's victory over Mozambique on Saturday has blown Group K wide open, setting up an interesting scenario for the remaining matches.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
The Brave Warriors came from behind to beat Mozambique 2-1 in Maputo on Saturday afternoon in their 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group K qualifier.
Deon Hotto once again proved why he is regarded as one of southern Africa's most dangerous players after scoring in the dying minutes of the match to seal a victory for his country.
It was a scrappy start from the home side, who conceded a goal in the first half through a headed ball through Sitoe.
After Mozambique took the lead, Brave Warriors struggled to keep up with the pace of the Mozambicans, who threw everything at the Namibians.
The home side dominated possession and had most of the set pieces in the first half.
The second half started similar to the first with Brave Warriors on the back foot.
Petrus Shitembi gave the Namibian team a lifeline when his close range finish drew the teams level at 1-1 with 20 minutes to go.
Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti then unleashed Deon Hotto from the bench, replacing Absalom Iimbondi.
The Bidvest Wits midfielder started giving Mozambique's backline something to worry about as he ran rings around them.
With just a few minutes remaining, it appeared as if both teams had settled for a draw, but Deon Hotto had other intentions.
The midfielder moved direct into Mozambique's defence and unleashed a piledriver from 30 metres that flew through the jelly hands of the Mozambican goalkeeper in added time to break the home side's hearts and bring Namibia level on points with the rest in Group K.
Ahead of the match Namibia were the only side on a single point in Group K, with Mozambique, Guinea Bissau and Zambia on four points each.
The Brave Warriors' starting line-up: Virgil Vries, Tiberius Lombard, Denzil Haoseb, Riaan Hananub, Ananias Gebhardt, Petrus Shitembi, Ronald Ketjijere, Absalom Iimbondi, Willy Stephanus, Benson Shilongo, and Peter Shalulile.
Below is what the table looks like after three matches played.
The Brave Warriors came from behind to beat Mozambique 2-1 in Maputo on Saturday afternoon in their 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group K qualifier.
Deon Hotto once again proved why he is regarded as one of southern Africa's most dangerous players after scoring in the dying minutes of the match to seal a victory for his country.
It was a scrappy start from the home side, who conceded a goal in the first half through a headed ball through Sitoe.
After Mozambique took the lead, Brave Warriors struggled to keep up with the pace of the Mozambicans, who threw everything at the Namibians.
The home side dominated possession and had most of the set pieces in the first half.
The second half started similar to the first with Brave Warriors on the back foot.
Petrus Shitembi gave the Namibian team a lifeline when his close range finish drew the teams level at 1-1 with 20 minutes to go.
Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti then unleashed Deon Hotto from the bench, replacing Absalom Iimbondi.
The Bidvest Wits midfielder started giving Mozambique's backline something to worry about as he ran rings around them.
With just a few minutes remaining, it appeared as if both teams had settled for a draw, but Deon Hotto had other intentions.
The midfielder moved direct into Mozambique's defence and unleashed a piledriver from 30 metres that flew through the jelly hands of the Mozambican goalkeeper in added time to break the home side's hearts and bring Namibia level on points with the rest in Group K.
Ahead of the match Namibia were the only side on a single point in Group K, with Mozambique, Guinea Bissau and Zambia on four points each.
The Brave Warriors' starting line-up: Virgil Vries, Tiberius Lombard, Denzil Haoseb, Riaan Hananub, Ananias Gebhardt, Petrus Shitembi, Ronald Ketjijere, Absalom Iimbondi, Willy Stephanus, Benson Shilongo, and Peter Shalulile.
Below is what the table looks like after three matches played.
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