The Zimbabwe Warriors defeated Namibia 1-0 at the AFCON Qualifiers, securing the top position in Group J with 5 points. This marks their first win after two goalless draws. Coach Michael Nees praised his team’s resilience, while Namibia’s coach expressed disappointment over missed chances. Both teams will play again on Monday.
The Zimbabwe senior men’s national football team, known as the Warriors, currently leads Group J of the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers following a narrow 1-0 victory over Namibia on Thursday afternoon at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg. This victory marks Zimbabwe’s first win in the qualifiers after enduring two consecutive goalless draws against Kenya and Cameroon in the previous matches last month. With this win, the Warriors accumulated a total of 5 points, placing them at the top of the group, ahead of Kenya and Cameroon, both of which have 4 points, while Namibia languishes at the bottom with 0 points. Despite Zimbabwe being largely outplayed by Namibia throughout the match, the head coach, Michael Nees, expressed satisfaction with his team’s resolve and performance. “The game was a hard fight, exactly what we anticipated. We were fighting to have luck at the right time, that’s all we could do today. It was all about fighting until the end and we got a well-deserved win,” stated Nees during the post-match press conference. While the Warriors’ style of play under Nees may not be the most entertaining, they have shown notable defensive improvements, managing to maintain three consecutive clean sheets in their campaign. Conversely, Namibia’s defeat marks their third consecutive loss in the qualifiers. Their head coach, Collin Benjamin, expressed disappointment, stating, “Congratulations to Zimbabwe that is football, but I’m of the opinion that my team was the better team and created chances. We had about nine chances that we didn’t convert and in the end, we are sitting here with zero points and zero goals. This hurts especially when you know you were the better team.” Both teams are set to face off again in a reverse fixture at the Orlando Stadium on Monday.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a prestigious football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), showcasing the continent’s top national teams. The 2025 AFCON Qualifiers are crucial for teams seeking to secure their spots in the upcoming tournament. Group J includes Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya, and Cameroon, and performances in this group will determine which teams advance to the finals. Zimbabwe’s recent leadership in the group reflects their potential resurgence in African football, while Namibia’s struggles highlight the challenges they face in these qualifiers.
In conclusion, the Zimbabwe Warriors’ victory over Namibia positions them at the forefront of Group J in the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers. Despite challenges during the match, the team’s defensive strength has emerged as a key asset. Namibia’s ongoing struggles, coupled with their coach’s disappointment over missed opportunities, set the stage for an important rematch between the two teams this coming Monday.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
