Photo Credit: COSAFA Media
The second match of the day in Durban at the 2023 COSAFA Cup ended all square with a 1-1 score between the Brave Warriors of Namibia and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Wednesday at the King Zwelithini Stadium. Namibia took advantage of a slow start from the hosts to snatch the lead before halftime through Elmo Kambindu but Bafana Bafana found their stride and Rowan Human equalized early in the second half. South Africa will face group leaders Botswana next while Namibia take on Eswatini.
In contrast to last year’s COSAFA Cup, South Africa featured plenty of experienced Premier Soccer League campaigners along with a couple of European based players but were rather toothless in attack during the first half. Namibia had less possession but Collin Benjamin’s team were direct and effective with talented attackers like Wendell Rudath and Kambindu.
A couple of minutes before halftime it was Kambindu who was in the right spot to guide his header past Bafana goalkeeper Jethren Barr after a run and hard cross from the right wing by Bethuel Muzeu. Disappointed South Africa coach Morena Ramoreboli made four substitutions at the half and the results were immediate.
In the 48th minute a quick throw-in sent Tshegofatso Mabasa in on the left wing, whose shot was blocked by Namibia keeper Edward Maova before the Orlando Pirates player got to the rebound and crossed for Human to smash his volley in. Maova had plenty more work to do but did excellently to produce an important double save in the 65th minute. Bafana Bafana continued to dominate but stubborn defending from Namibia kept the score even including Kennedy Amutenya’s timely sliding challenge in the final stretch.
Highlights from COSAFA TV are below.
