Namibia have been held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in their latest 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Monday.

The draw sees the Brave Warriors move to 12 points from their six matches in the pool, within one point of Group H leaders Tunisia, though the latter do have a game in hand.

The top team in each of the nine qualification groups earns a place at next year’s finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada, while the four best runners-up enter an arduous inter-continental playoff campaign for one further berth.

Namibia took the lead through their all-time leading scorer Peter Shalulile of Mamelodi Sundowns but were pegged back moments later as Saul Coco equalised for the visitors.

Coach Collin Benjamin will be pleased that his side have extended their unbeaten run in the qualifiers to six games, with three wins and three draws.

It is now the most points Namibia has ever managed in a World Cup qualification campaign, beating the preliminaries for the 2014 and 2022 finals, when they claimed 11 points in eight games.

Namibia opened the scoring six minutes into the second half when Orlando Pirates versatile player Deon Hotto’s delivery into the six-yard box was met by Shalulile, who provided a calm side-footed finish from close range.

But the lead only lasted three minutes as the visitors drew level. Esteban Orozco’s free-kick into the box was parried by Namibia goalkeeper Edward Maova and Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco reacted quickest to score from close range. There were few chances after that at either end as both sides had to settle for a point.

Namibia is at home for their next two qualifiers which will be played in September. They host Malawi and Sao Tome e Principe and believe they can take six points from those fixtures to at the very least put themselves in a strong position for one of the best runner-up spots.

They finish their campaign in October this year with a trip to Liberia and a potential group showdown away against Tunisia.

Namibia is one of nine sides yet to lose in the qualifiers, placing themselves in good company with the likes of Egypt, Senegal, Cameroon, Morocco, and Ivory Coast, with 53 African nations taking part.