Namibia strike crucial blow in Group K

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Oct 16, 2018. 21:17

Namibia have struck a crucial blow in Group K of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after they defeated Mozambique 1-0 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Tuesday evening.

The result sees the Brave Warriors (who defeated their fellow Southern Africans 2-1 in Maputo last weekend) join group leaders Guinea-Bissau on seven points, with the pair now three points clear of the Mambas and Zambia in third and fourth place respectively.

Mozambique were lively in attack from the early minutes, but they did little to call Namibia goalkeeper Virgil Vries into action, with the final pass and/or shot lacking the required quality to test the hosts.

The Brave Warriors grew into the game and created a fine chance for Peter Shalulile toward the latter minutes of the first half, but the striker abandoned his attempt to run in on goal after he incorrectly thought he had been ruled offside.

However, the Highlands Park striker was on target in the 73rd minute, finally breaking the deadlock to spark jubilation in the stands of the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

The Mambas looked to hit back in what remained of the game, but Namibia were able to hold put for victory despite playing the final few minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of Denzil Haoseb.

Mozambique were furious when an injury-time header from substitute Antonio found the back of the net, but was ruled out for a narrow offside call.

Namibia (0) 1 (Shalulile 73’)
Mozambique 0

Namibia: Vries, Gebhardt, Hanamub, Haoseb, Ketjijere, Limbondi (Hotto 46’), Lombard, Shalulile, Shitembi (Hambira 90+1’), Stephanus, Urikhob (Gome 57’)

Mozambique: Pendula, Manucho (Antonio 89’), Bauque (Witi 59’), Pelembe, Edmilson, Jeitoso, Kambala, Mandava (Miquissone 84’), Ratifo, Reginaldo, Zainadine