2023 AFCON: South Africa v Namibia preview

by Thando Mpembe

Saturday Jan 20, 2024. 14:19

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will continue with a Group E match between South Africa and Namibia at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo.

Date: Sunday 21 January 2024

Kick-off: 22h00 CAT

Head-to-head: South Africa and Namibia have met in 13 previous matches. Bafana Bafana have claimed seven wins compared to two for the Brave Warriors, while four games have been drawn. The teams’ most recent meeting was a 0-0 draw in a friendly in September 2023.

South Africa’s last three results: They got their AFCON off to a poor start, suffering a 2-0 loss at the hands of Mali on Tuesday night. Prior to that, Bafana had recorded a 0-0 draw with Lesotho in a pre-tournament friendly, and a 2-0 loss to Rwanda in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in November 2023.

Namibia’s last three results: Their Nations Cup got up and running with a first-ever tournament win, defeating heavyweights Tunisia 1-0 thanks to a late strike from Deon Hotto. Prior to that, the Brave Warriors had recorded a 0-0 draw with Ghana in a pre-tournament friendly, and a 2-0 win over Sao Tome & Principe in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in November 2023.

Team news: South Africa may look to sharpen up in attack by replacing Evidence Makgopa and Thapelo Maseko with Zakhele Lepasa and Mihlali Mayambela. Siyanda Xulu could also be on the chopping block after an error-prone showing against Mali.

Namibia have no reported injury issues and coach Collin Benjamin is likely to mostly stick to the same XI that did such a great job against Tunisia.

Key players, South Africa: Themba Zwane will hope to again direct the passing traffic in the final third; Percy Tau will be hoping to make up for his penalty miss against Mali; and Aubrey Modiba is a potent and tireless attacking outlet down the left flank.

Key players, Namibia: Deon Hotto will be aiming to pick up where he left off after scoring the winner against Tunisia; Lloyd Kazapua is a fine last line of defence for the Brave Warriors; and every football fan in South Africa knows the potency of striker Peter Shalulile.