By Nana Kwame Bediako
Group E opened with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia taking on the Brave Warriors of Namibia on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo, where Namibia recorded their first-ever victory in the AFCON, beating Tunisia 1:0.
The Brave Warriors of Namibia stepped up from the word “go” as they displayed the spirit of warriors, giving the Carthage Eagles lots to fight and crack in order to get back into the game. Tunisia gradually equaled the strength of Namibia as they started to keep possession of the ball.
Namibia in the first half created big chances but weren’t able to convert them to balance their good passage of play in the final third as Tunisia held their grip to deny them on countless occasions.
Both teams came into the second half gun-blazing with an end-to-end display of chances and opportunities to go ahead but continued to squander all their chances in front of goal. Namibia were an inch closer to going ahead when Peter Shalulile’s efforts were cleared off the line.
Tunisia picked up some momentum as they palled constant pressure on the Namibian defence, forcing goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua to make some incredible saves to keep the Carthage Eagles silent.
After saving some important balls, goalkeeper Ben Said was beaten by a well-timed header from Deon Hotto, capitalising on an intelligent cross from Bethuel Muzeu to make it 1:0 in the 88th minute.
The Brave Warriors of Namibia’s victory against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia marks their first ever victory in the Africa Cup of Nations.
