Brave Warriors chase Africa Cup of Nations berth

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Jun 20, 2023. 11:00

Namibia will look to secure a berth at the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals when they face Burundi in Dar es Salaam in one of three clashes on Tuesday 20 June which will wrap up Matchday 5 of the qualification tournament.

The Brave Warriors need only avoid defeat against the Swallows (who will ‘host’ in Tanzania due to a lack of CAF-approved venues in their own country) to guarantee a top-two finish in Group C and a return to the AFCON tournament after missing out on the last edition in Cameroon.

“We’re going to go to Tanzania and they’re [the players] gonna give their best. These guys are going to fight, they’re going to bring the result that we need and go to the Africa Nations Cup, and make history as players of a certain generation that went to the Nations Cup twice. That’s what I’m looking at and that’s what I’m proud of,” said Namibia coach Colin Benjamin.

In Maputo, Malawi will look to keep themselves alive in Group D with a win ‘away’ to Ethiopia. Egypt have already secured top spot in the group with last week’s win over Guinea, and the Syli Nationale will join them in qualification with any other result in this match outside of a win for the Flames. Yet if Malawi do manage a triumph over the Walia Ibex, it will set them up for an epic showdown with Guinea on Matchday 6 in Lilongwe in September.

Finally, Sudan and Mauritania will meet in a vital Group I match in Agadir, Morocco. A win for either team would send them top of the standings ahead of DR Congo and Gabon, while a draw would mean all four nations in the group would be covered by two just one point heading into the final set of fixtures in September.

AFCON qualifying fixtures, Tuesday 20 June

All times CAT

15:00: Burundi v Namibia

16:00: Ethiopia v Malawi

20:00: Sudan v Mauritania