Warriors squander chances in thrilling encounter

LIMBA MUPETAMI



Light drops of rain opened the 2018 Africa Nations Cup (Afcon) qualifier match between Namibia and Guinea-Bissau at a packed and excited Sam Nujoma stadium on Saturday.

The odds were in Namibia's favour stepping into the match and, as it should be, Petrus Shitembi opened the match with a shot which hit the goalpost a minute after Ananias Gebhardt's header bounced off the crossbar.

Confidence and determination was what the Warriors had as Hendrik Somaeb picked up a free kick on the left side of the box which was taken by Deon Hotto. The carefully taken kick was comfortably headed away by Bissau's player.

As time passed the Warriors' confidence grew and in the 28th minute Peter Shalulile unleashed a shot that again went wide. Hotto got an opportunity but blasted wide, much to the disappointment of the crowd.

In the 30th minute of the first half, Larry Horaeb picked up a yellow card after fouling Bissau's Piquet Djassi Silva at the edge of the box. Jose Lopes, the captain of Bissau, took the free kick which went flying towards Warriors goalkeeper Virgil Vries. The evergreen Vries made a great save by punching the ball out for a corner.

The save kept the Namibians in the game, soon after Shalulile missed a chance to score after a counter-attack.

Chris Katjiukua, who fouled Lopes, received a yellow card in the 35th minute. Again Vries stepped up and saved his players from yet another setback.

In the 38th minute Bissau attacked but Horaeb swiftly dealt with the attack in the penalty box, receiving applause from the crowd.

Before halftime Willy Stephanus took a corner which landed safely in Jonas Mendes's hands.

The first half ended nil-all. In the second half Shalulile missed in the opening seconds. Soon after, a cross came from Hotto on the right wing which connected with Somaeb's foot but was saved by Mendes who was frustrating the Namibian players.

In the 52nd minute Stephanus missed a perfectly orchestrated ball by shooting wide. His efforts did not please the crowd, who just wanted a goal.

In the 54th minute Shalulile's shot was blocked, Stephanus followed up but was also blocked; Somaeb picked up the ball but also missed.

In the 70th minute Somaeb made way for Benson Shilongo, soon after Horaeb also made way for Muna Katupose.

Katupose scored a winner for Namibia in 2016 and Mannetti wanted a repeat but it did not come. Katupose had two chances to score but it was just not to be for the Warriors.

“It was a perfect day for a lot of goals. Bissau had opportunities but we had plenty more. We need to take responsibility for the result. We took wrong options in the field. We have a point in our quest to qualify. We have now made things difficult for ourselves but we should not take the draw as the end,” Mannetti said.

Mannetti encouraged fans to keep their eyes on the ball.

Bissau's coach, Baciro Candé, said the match was difficult and Namibia is a great team. “They played great football but Bissau came prepared,” he said, adding that Namibia and his side will both advance from the group.

Namibia will play Zambia in Lusaka next year in the final qualifying match, hoping for a draw or a win so as to qualify for Cameroon 2019. Bissau will face Mozambique.