Goals from Charles Hambira and Guy Mbenza ensured Namibia and Congo shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw in their 2022 World Cup Qualifiers Group H match on Thursday.
The game was played at Orlando Stadium in South Africa as Namibia currently don’t have a stadium that fulfills the required standards to host international matches.
As they were seen as favourites at home the Brave Warriors hoped to bag the full three points but Boby Samaria’s men couldn’t destabilize the visitors’ defence in the opening minutes.
Congo should’ve fallen behind on 13 minutes from a free-kick by Joslin Kamakuta which goalkeeper Christoffer Mafobumbi palmed back into play, but Peter Shalulile couldn’t bury the rebound.
The Brave Warriors went ahead on the 24th minute courtesy of Hambira who nodded in a free-kick that was delivered by Riaan Hanamub.
Congo could have drawn level from a low ball at the near post, but Ravy Tsouka in particular skewed wide of target before Llyod Kazapua parried a low shot from Gaius Makouta.
The Red Devils missed a big chance to double their lead before the half-hour mark when Silvere M’boussy nodded a corner-kick wide of the mark.
More stellar defending from Namibia was needed five minutes after halftime after Guy Mbenza went clear from a through ball to round Kazapua for an easy finish, but Kamberipa cleared off the line.
Namibia orchestrated threats of their own ten minutes to the hour mark courtesy of Shalulile in particular, as Congo brought on Prestige Mboungou for Yan Mabella.
The Red Devils pressure play paid off on the 57th minute when Mbenza met a pin-point delivery from Mbemba before Hambira directed the ball into his own net in a clearance attempt.
Namibia should’ve had the front through a close-range effort from Shalulile following a cross-field ball, but he went straight at Mafoumbie.
An even contest followed in the latter minutes, but it finished 1-1 in the end placing Congo second and Namibia third of the Group H standings.
