- Namibia stunned Tunisia 1-0 in their opening game
- They play South Africa in their second game
- Tunisia played to a 1-1 draw with Mali
Namibia are looking to continue their fairy tale run, after earning their first ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over giants Tunisia.
They will take on neighbors South Africa in their second match, and head coach Colin Benjamin is looking forward to a win, but knows how tough derbies are.
Bafana Bafana started their campaign with defeat and they will definitely come into the duel all out to win. With most players in the Namibia squad playing in South Africa, it will be a battle of familiarity between the two neighbors.
Benjamin says his squad remains grounded.
“The noise out there whether it was 1998, 2019 or whenever doesn’t matter to them. They are blocking the noise. They are just focused on the task at hand. I have never seen such dedication group of players. On the field, in the gym, during breakfast, they are just focused,” Benjamin told a news conference before the game.
He adds; “They not only carrying their own aspirations but it’s the hopes and dreams of the entire nation. For us being underdogs to a certain extent we are immune to it. We are preparing properly and as professionals. We are going to give everything, and this is what we live for.”
Namibia will qualify for the last 16 with victory, while a draw will also put themselves firmly in the race.
Namibia a threat, says South Africa coach
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos. PHOTO/CAF
At the same time, South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has asked his players to channel their disappointment from their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opening day defeat as strength to take on Namibia on match day two of Group E.
Bafana Bafana were beaten 2-0 by Mali in their first game, where star player Percy Tau missed a penalty at 0-0. Broos says his players must now wake up and give their best against Namibia, a side that promises to be tough having won their first game.
“We were very disappointed after the defeat against Mali because we didn’t play a bad game. We know it will be difficult with Namibian players playing in South Africa. The only thing that we cannot do is to repeat the same mistakes that we made with Mali. We can play a good match in both the first and second half,” Broos said speaking ahead of the game.
He knows it will not be easy against a Namibian side that beat Tunisia in their opening match, and are now high in confidence.
“They will have morale and be extra motivated, so we are expecting a good game, but we are also working hard and preparing accordingly for a tough match,” said the coach.
Tunisia, Mali play to 1-1 draw
Tunisia celebrate their late goal against Mali. PHOTO/CAF
Tunisia came from a one goal deficit to hold Mali to a 1-1 draw and revive their feint hopes of making the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations. The Carthage Eagles had been shocked with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Namibia and had to win to ensure they retain hopes.
However, they could only afford a point, with Hamza Rafia scoring the leveler cancelling out Lassine Sinayoko’s early opener.
Tunisia are on a point, third in Group E while Mali are on four and top the group, pending Namibia’s outcome with South Africa.
The Malians had started the match well and got into the lead after just nine minutes when Sinayoko did well to break into the box and take a snapshot from the left, catching the keeper off guard.
Tunisia were rattled and know they could suffer a second defeat, pulled up their socks in attack. They levelled in the 20th minute when he raced into the box to tap in a well laid low cross from Ali Abdi.
The contest was tougher in the second half, with Mali having the clearer chances at goal but none could find the back of the net.
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