Namibia beat Zimbabwe 4-2

Namibia beat Zimbabwe 4-2 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium on Saturday afternoon, after leading 3-0 at halftime.

In a stunning display of attacking soccer, Namibia took the lead through a great strike by Wilko Risser on 18 minutes.

Rudolph Bester made it 2-0 after scoring from a counter attack and shortly before halftime a cracking freekick by Paulus Shipanga made it 3-0.

Risser scored his second goal five minutes into the second half when he headed in a Quinton Jacobs freekick, while Zimbabwe opened their account through Esrom Nyandoro after 59 minutes.

With three minutes remaining Cuthbert Mahajila headed in Zimbabwe’s second goal from a corner but it was too little too late as Namibia held on for a well-deserved victory.

The result was only of academic interest as both sides were out of the running for a place in the next round of World Cup qualifiers, but the performance would have given Namibia a lot of hope and confidence for the future.

Zimbabwe applied the early pressure and Namibian keeper Athiel Mbaha pulled off a fine save from an early shot by Pride Tafirenyika. Zimbabwe’s Quincy Antipas looked dangerous on attack, but Namibia’s defence stood firm, with George Hummel in fine form.

Namibia survived the early onslaught and took the lead through a great goal by Wilko Risser on 18m when he received the ball in space and unleashed a 30m cracker that rocketed into the roof of the net.

The goal set the 4 000-odd fans wild with delight and shouting for more and it did not take long in coming.

Namibia continued to look dangerous with Rudolph Bester shooting over the top after being set clear by Wilko Risser on 27 minutes, while Paulus Shipanga broke down the right moments later and sent in a dangerous cross which was scrambled away by Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper, Tapuwa Kapini.

Namibia’s pressure finally paid off on 29 minutes when Bester scored a great goal after being set clear by Sydney Plaatjies from a swift counterattack.

Gilbert Mushangazhike and Onisimo Bhasera had ineffectual shots saved by Mbaha, while other Zimbabwean attacks fell into Namibia’s offside trap.

Three minutes before halftime Namibia won a freekick after a foul on Sydney Plaatjies and Paulus Shipanga stepped up to blast it into the Zimbabwean net from about 20m out.

Namibia continued where they left off in the second half and Wilko Risser made it 4-0 when he rose high to head in a freekick by Quinton Jacobs on 50m.

Zimbabwe pressurised Namibia’s defence and a misunderstanding between George Hummel and Mbaha nearly resulted in a goal as Hummel’s backpass narrowly missed the net.

A long shot by Quinton Jacobs was well saved by Kapini, before Lazarus Kaimbi came on for the injured Sydney Plaatjies.

Zimbabwe finally opened their account when Esrom Nyandoro headed in a centre by Joel Luphahla on 59m.

Zimbabwe created more chances in the final quarter. First a dangerous cross by David Kutyauripo was just missed by Zimbabawe’s stikers and then a shot by Cuthbert Mahajila was cleared off the line by Richard Gariseb.

With three minutes remaining, Mahajila headed in Zimbabwe’s second goal from a corner. Zimbabwe pushed hard in the final minutes but George Hummel was a rock in defence and cleared their attempts away as Namibia held on for a great victory.

Namibia 4
Wilko Risser 18’, 50’
Rudolph Bester 29’
Paulus Shipanga 42’
Zimbabwe 2
Esrom Nyandoro 59’
Cuthbert Mahajila 87’