Will Namibia win a match?
Namibia will play two world champions at the 2019 Japan Rugby World Cup, making their chances of advancing out of the group stages nearly impossible.
With Namibia qualifying for the 2019 Japan Rugby World Cup this past weekend, the focus has shifted to whether the team can finally win a match at the global spectacle.
Namibia secured their place via a comfortable 53-28 win over Kenya in Windhoek on Saturday.
This means that the country will make its sixth appearance at the global showpiece in Japan next year.
However, after five previous tournaments and 19 matches played, the country still craves its first-ever historic win.
The positives
In 2015, Namibia was drawn in a group with New Zealand, Georgia, Fiji, Argentina and Tonga.
Namibia came close to winning when they narrowly lost 17-16 to Georgia at the tournament, but made many friends with their gutsy performance against the All Blacks, losing 58-14 to the world's most feared rugby team.
They also put up an impressive showing against Tonga, going down 35-21.
The negatives
Namibia sadly holds the record for the biggest losing margin in World Cup history, after losing 142-0 against Australia at the 2003 edition.
Namibia is yet to register a single point at the World Cup.
Many people in the past criticised the team for failing to emulate the triumphs of their neighbours, South Africa, who have already lifted the cup on two occasions.
Way forward
Namibia will play in Pool B alongside New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and the repechage winner at Japan 2019.
Kenya will play in November's repechage tournament in Marseille, where Canada, Germany and Hong Kong will also be competing for the final place at next year's World Cup.
The chances of Namibia meeting Kenya in the group stage is highly likely, if the Kenyans get the better of Canada, Germany and Hong Kong.
For Namibia sake, it will be better if the Kenyans manage to qualify, which then gives the Land of the Brave a great chance to win a match at the tournament.
New Zealand will be almost impossible to beat, while the Springboks are getting better and better under new coach Rassie Erasmus.
The Springboks and Namibia met at the 2011 World Cup, where South Africa trounced their neighbours 87-0. The odds and statistics will be against Namibia in this match.
Italy will be a team that Namibia can beat if they are mentally prepared.
The nations have never met at a World Cup, but Namibia did beat Italy 35-19 in 1991 in Windhoek and 49-24 in 2001.
Namibia also got the better of the Italian emerging team by 38-26 in Uruguay during the 2016 World Rugby Nations Cup.
They also beat Italy 38-22 during the 2017 edition.
Italy has not moved past the group stages of the World Cup in the past.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
Namibia secured their place via a comfortable 53-28 win over Kenya in Windhoek on Saturday.
This means that the country will make its sixth appearance at the global showpiece in Japan next year.
However, after five previous tournaments and 19 matches played, the country still craves its first-ever historic win.
The positives
In 2015, Namibia was drawn in a group with New Zealand, Georgia, Fiji, Argentina and Tonga.
Namibia came close to winning when they narrowly lost 17-16 to Georgia at the tournament, but made many friends with their gutsy performance against the All Blacks, losing 58-14 to the world's most feared rugby team.
They also put up an impressive showing against Tonga, going down 35-21.
The negatives
Namibia sadly holds the record for the biggest losing margin in World Cup history, after losing 142-0 against Australia at the 2003 edition.
Namibia is yet to register a single point at the World Cup.
Many people in the past criticised the team for failing to emulate the triumphs of their neighbours, South Africa, who have already lifted the cup on two occasions.
Way forward
Namibia will play in Pool B alongside New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and the repechage winner at Japan 2019.
Kenya will play in November's repechage tournament in Marseille, where Canada, Germany and Hong Kong will also be competing for the final place at next year's World Cup.
The chances of Namibia meeting Kenya in the group stage is highly likely, if the Kenyans get the better of Canada, Germany and Hong Kong.
For Namibia sake, it will be better if the Kenyans manage to qualify, which then gives the Land of the Brave a great chance to win a match at the tournament.
New Zealand will be almost impossible to beat, while the Springboks are getting better and better under new coach Rassie Erasmus.
The Springboks and Namibia met at the 2011 World Cup, where South Africa trounced their neighbours 87-0. The odds and statistics will be against Namibia in this match.
Italy will be a team that Namibia can beat if they are mentally prepared.
The nations have never met at a World Cup, but Namibia did beat Italy 35-19 in 1991 in Windhoek and 49-24 in 2001.
Namibia also got the better of the Italian emerging team by 38-26 in Uruguay during the 2016 World Rugby Nations Cup.
They also beat Italy 38-22 during the 2017 edition.
Italy has not moved past the group stages of the World Cup in the past.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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