Photo Credit - Namibia Football Association - NFA.
Namibia national team coach Collin Benjamin has maintained their focus right now is on the team’s growth despite a slim 1-0 win against Malawi in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture on Thursday.
The Brave Warriors needed a 40th minute goal courtesy of Prins Tjiueza to register their third win of the qualification campaign and remain unbeaten in the six team Group J and keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the global competition in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
While admitting that every Namibian is allowed to dream on the team's qualification hopes, Benjamin maintained that the dream and result will keep them going in the qualifiers.
“To have dreams is valid, it keeps you on target to keep on working but we are really not looking at the table standings right now it’s just good to be able to win and gain the much needed confidence boost especially after last year’s AFCON campaign,” said Benjamin as quoted by Namibia website after the Malawi win
“The aim is to grow and gradually develop more players, we had a player who made his debut for the Braves today and he played close to 70mins that is what we are looking at.”
On the away win against the Flames, Benjamin said: “I think we started well in the starting half but lost the intensity and drive due to the long balls that Malawi was playing.
“They played exceptionally well and gave us a good match, it was a physical and direct game. I’m really proud of the boys for withstanding that pressure, we take the three points and go back to the drawing board for the next match.”
The win saw Namibia remain second with 11 points from five matches, two less leaders Tunisia, while Liberia are third on seven points, Malawi fourth on six, Equatorial Guinea on three while Sao Tome and Principe are last without a single point.
The Namibian side will host Equatorial Guinea at the Peter Mokoba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday, March 24.
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