Lights Out

IT LITERALLY ended in tears for the Brave Warriors on Saturday night when Tanzania’s Taifa Stars dimmed their shine with a 1-0 win at the African Nations Championships in Limbe, Cameroon.

Errors in defence and poor form in front of goal were again the undoing of Namibia, condemning them to their second successive loss and early exit just like Zimbabwe a day earlier.

After a chastening opening 3-0 loss to Guinea, it was evident that lighting would not strike the same place twice for the Warriors who were aiming to emulate the class of 2018 and reach the quarter-finals.

There may have been parallels in the chaotic run up to both tournaments, however the performances were polar opposites.

“Our preparations that were hampered by 10 players testing positive for Covid-19 is evident by the kind of performance we have showed. Today, our downfall was that the team was not clinical and yet they created the scoring opportunities,” Brave Warriors coach Richard Samaria said in his post-match analysis.

A distraught Elmo Kambindu summed up what has been an unpleasant experience in war-torn south-west Cameroon for a side which is yet to register a goal in two matches at the ongoing biennial tournament.

The bruising centre-forward has arguably been Namibia’s outstanding performer thus far and yet was withdrawn after an hour for Isaskar Gurirab with Namibia on the ascendency and the match scoreless.

With the pressure on their defence eased, Tanzania pushed forward and broke the deadlock moments after his exit through a close range strike from Farid Mussa following another goalkeeping mistake.

One of five changes made by Samaria for the match, goalkeeper Kamaijanda Ndisiro misjudged a floating cross, and the ball was nodded down to Mussa who hammered home.

Soon after, the floodlights at Limbe Stadium malfunctioned and the match had to be paused for about 10 minutes until the lights were restored.

Gurirab missed two chances to hand his side the advantage. First, he dragged a shot wide of the right hand post when one-one with Tanzania keeper Manula on 77 minutes. Then, with two minutes to go, he produced a fantastic bicycle kick but the ball narrowly missed the bottom right hand corner.

“I think the boys redeemed themselves because I sincerely believe that we deserved something from that match,” Samaria observed.

“Last night we applied ourselves correctly and had very good moments in the game. We combined well and created good chances for ourselves, which we sadly did not convert.

“I am not pleased by the result but I am content with the performance of the lads.”

Consolation for the Brave Warriors will come if they secure victory over Zambia in Namibia’s dead-rubber final group match. That looks a tall order, given the effervescent Zambians, who scored a late equaliser against Guinea to force a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday, are joint top on four points and chasing qualification to the next round.

“We can only improve going into the third and final match. Yes, we are out of the running but the Zambia match is another football match which we should use to improve the team,” said Samaria.

With three points in the bank, Tanzania take on Guinea next with genuine intentions of causing an upset and making it to the last eight.

“This win has not been an easy one because the Namibian team was playing good football and the stakes were also high,” said Tanzania coach Etienne Ndairagije.

“I am happy and proud of my boys for the job well done to get the three points and wait for the last group game against Guinea.”

While not the most pleasing on the eye, the encounter will also be remembered for a groundbreaking moment for female match officials on the continent.

The female refereeing trio of referee Lidya Tafesse (Ethiopia) and assistant referees Bernadettar Asimenye Kwimbira (Malawi) and Mimisen Agatha Iyorhe (Nigeria) were in charge of the match – a first in senior men’s CAF competition.