Namibia Pushes For Historic World Cup Qualification
Namibia will continue its quest for a historic first-ever place at the FIFA World Cup when they host Equatorial Guinea in their latest Group H qualifier at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Monday.
Namibia has made an excellent start to its campaign to reach the 2026 finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, having taken 11 points from a possible 15.
That leaves them two points behind pool leaders Tunisia at the halfway stage of qualifying, with the top team in each group automatically qualifying for the 48-nation finals.
The four highest second-placed teams will have a chance via the playoffs, and with such a healthy haul already, Namibia would be among the favorites to book one of those berths.
They are unbeaten in qualifying so far, having defeated Malawi 1-0 away from home on Thursday in their latest qualifier, thanks to a 40th-minute goal from Cape Town City striker Prins Tjiueza.
They have managed seven goals and conceded only one in their five games, which suggests a side that is compact at the back and hard to break down.
Equatorial Guinea have won back-to-back matches having lost their opening three qualifiers and defeated minnows Sao Tome e Principe 2-0 on Friday.
That game was played in Malabo and they now make the journey to South Africa’s Limpopo province where the game will be played at the iconic 2010 FIFA World Cup venue.
Namibia coach Collin Benjamin urged his players to stay grounded ahead of the encounter but said they are dreaming of a World Cup place.
“To have dreams is valid, it keeps you on target to keep on working but we are really not looking at the table standings right now,” Benjamin said. “It’s just good to be
able to win and gain the much-needed confidence boost, especially after last year’s AFCON campaign.
“I think we started well in the first half (against Malawi) but lost the intensity and drive due to the long balls that Malawi was playing.
“They played exceptionally well and gave us a good match; it was a physical and direct game. I’m proud of the boys for withstanding that pressure, we take the three points and go back to the drawing board for the next match.”
Benjamin admits his side has room to improve, but there are promising signs for the future … and the now.
“The aim is to grow and gradually develop more players, we had a player (Bonifasius Josef) who made his debut for the Braves and that is what we are looking at.”
Namibia were awarded the reverse qualifier against Equatorial Guinea 3-0 in November 2023 after their hosts were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player in striker Emilio Nsue.
The latter has since sorted out his paperwork and is back with his national team.
