Young Warriors hold Amajita

Namibia and South Africa played to a goalless draw in their 2017 CAF U/20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier second round first leg match played at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday afternoon.Both sides were looking for a favourable start to the fixture with Namibia’s Young Warriors aiming to score at home and South Africa searching for the important away goal. But it was not to be as after 90 minutes of thrilling action underscored by great tactical acumen, the sides settled for a goalless draw ahead of the second leg in three weeks’ time in South Africa.The goalless draw was, however, not for the lack of trying. For Gerald Güther’s Namibian side, McCartney Nawaseb had the first real game’s shot at goal, a stinking shot from 25 metres out which was well saved by Mondli Mpoto midway the first half.Chances were hard to come by in the first half as Kennedy Eib and Baloyi Tsandib marshalled the local’s defence with outstanding authority and for South Africa, Katlego Mohame and Tercius Malepe kept their defence alert at all times.Second half was certainly better than the first in terms of goal-scoring chances as on 49 minutes Nawaseb headed down and over from a Katiti Hakuria drive and cross down the left, while moments later captain Pandeni Kandjabanga sent in an inviting cross which was missed by all in the box. Sbongakonke Mbatha came on and was the centre of all attacks by the visitors and on 54 minutes South Africa’s attack was thwarted over the crossbar by the Namibians. And the lanky Eib nearly put the host ahead on 63 minutes as he rose the highest to meet a George Hummel junior corner kick, but his header agonizingly went straight into the arms of Mpoto.Güther replaced the ineffective playmaker Venovineja Tjikundi with Alberto Klukowski, Romeo Kasume replacing impressive midfielder Reginald Willemse Junior and the isolated Jandjamuje Maharero making way for Hiha Katjivena as they intensified the search for the elusive goal.Güther still believes in his boys: “We tried our best to get the goal but it never came and now going for the second leg we keep the same players because they are very positive and we go to South Africa and play our game and try to get a good result. It will be a tough second game but we go there with our heads held high and still believe.”South Africa coach Thabo Senong also awaits a fierce second leg match. “We are not happy with the result but we are proud of the boys’ commitment. It will be a tough match at home because we did not get the away goal that we sought and expect Namibia to be an even tougher for the second leg,” he said.The second leg match will be played on 11 June in Johannesburg with the winner to face either Mozambique or Lesotho for a place in Zambia next year for the CAF U/20 AFCON.NFA.ORG.NA

Young Warriors hold Amajita

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-23

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Young Warriors hold Amajita

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-23

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