Namibia head coach Collin Benjamin stated the goal for his team was to steal points against Cameroon in Yaoundé and the Brave Warriors accomplished their mission with a 1-1 draw against the Group C leaders on Friday in 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. Peter Shalulile became his country’s all-time leading goal scorer with a first half strike and Olivier Kemen equalized for the hosts on his Cameroon debut to leave the teams sharing the spoils. Cameroon remain group leaders with four points while Namibia take sole possession of second place on two points, one ahead of Burundi.
It was a frustrating night for Cameroon who created the majority of opportunities but lost their nerve in front of goal on numerous occasions while dealing with a compact Namibian defense. Shalulile showcased his poaching instincts in the 26th minute when a turnover by Cameroon central defender Christopher Wooh led a teasing pass from Prins Tijueza towards goal. A miscommunication between goalkeeper Devis Epassy and defender Jean-Charles Castelletto allowed Shalulile to sneak in and poke past Epassy to stun the home support.
Namibia and goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua resisted numerous Cameroonian advances into their territory and wasteful finishing from the Indomitable Lions attack helped the cause of the visitors. Moumi Ngamaleu and Ignatius Ganago both fired shots into the side netting of Kazapua’s goal in the second half but the Chippa United goalkeeper had little chance when the hosts equalized in the 72nd minute. A minute after coming on, substitute Pierre Kunde sent in a perfect curling free kick service to find Kemen for a powerful header that Kazapua could only tip into the roof of his net, giving the hosts a point for the evening.
Highlights of the match are below.
