Namibia, Mozambique look to go joint-top of Group K

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Oct 16, 2018. 09:30

Namibia and Mozambique will both be looking to go joint-top of Group K in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they meet at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Tuesday, 16 October 2018, kick-off at 19h00 CAT.

The teams come into the match placed second and third respectively, both on four points from three matches. Leaders Guinea-Bissau have already played their matchday four encounter, defeating Zambia 2-1 at Estadio 24 de Setembro on Sunday night to go to seven points. Chipolopolo are last with four points.

The Brave Warriors and the Mambas met in Maputo on Saturday and it was the former team which claimed a 2-1 away win thanks to goals from Petrus Shitembi and Deon Hotto (the latter’s in injury time at the end of the game).

Namibia had to come from behind to win the match, with Mozambique having claimed the lead 26 minutes in through French-based defender Mexer.

The victory was a massive fillip for under-fire Namibia coach Ricardo Mannetti, as he looks to take his side to a first AFCON qualification since 2008, but the Mambas are still very much in the race for their first continental tournament showing since 2010.

With home ground advantage and playmakers like Hotto firing on all cylinders, the Brave Warriors will go into the match as favourites, but playing a more counter-attack styled game is likely to suit Mozambique, who are not to be underestimated by the Windhoek crowd.

Central African Republic referee Jean Marc Ganamandji will take charge of the game at Sam Nujoma Stadium.