We deserve this – Kazapua

MARRAKECH – Brave Warriors goalkeeper Loydt Kazapua said Namibia’s qualification for the 2018 African Nations Championship was just reward for the hardship the team endured in reaching the tournament.

Kazapua was named man of the match after pulling off a string of fines saves to deny a relentless Uganda attack at the Stade Marrakech and keep his side in the match which they won in stoppage time through a fine strike by substitute striker Panduleni Nekundi.

The narrow hard-fought win ensured tournament debutants Namibia qualified for the quarter-finals along with Group B leaders Zambia, who eliminated Ivory Coast by a 2-0 scoreline on the same day, with a match to spare.

“I’m over the moon. The group is over the moon. We feel blessed,” an out of breath Kazapua said.

Overcoming the challenge of an inactive domestic league for over 16 months to qualify for the championship has helped the Brave Warriors forge an indefatigable resilience, Kazapua said.

That backs-to-the-wall mentality has helped them graft two victories against better opposition in Morocco.

“We are so happy because we worked hard for this. There were days when there was no league but we continued working [on our own] and this is the reward. To have such a reward after such hard work is a marvellous feeling,” said Kazapua.

Namibia are the only team yet to concede a goal in the entire competition and it was no surprise that defensive success saw another member of the backline named man of the match for the second match running.

Centre-back Charles Hamibira, who notched the dramatic last minute winner against Ivory Coast, was chosen as the best player on the pitch in the Group B opener.

“There’s a unity in camp. We push one another. We defend as a team. It’s not just us defenders but from the front. We keep to the tactic and keep the discipline,” said the 28 year-old stopper.