The Brave Warriors of Namibia made history yesterday at the 2023 African Cup of Nations when they beat Tunisia 1-0 in their group opener game to record their first-ever win in the Africa Cup of Nations match.
Namibia, ranked 115th in the World, who has never won a single game at AFCON scored the winner in the 88th minute of the game after missing a lot of chances early in the game. Deon Hotto’s goal was the only goal to separate the two sides and ensure that the Brave Warriors moved top of the group table.
The 33-year-old beat the offside trap to nod home a well-floated ball into the box. It is Namibia’s first-ever win at the AFCON having previously participated in three editions (1998, 2008, and 2019).
Tunisia, who won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004, were unable to find the back of the net as Namibia goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua put in an impressive performance.
Tunisia did force a sharp save out of Loydt Kazapua in the final 15 minutes with a header that was acrobatically tipped over the top but that was as close as they came in a game where they were expected to dominate.
Haythem Jouini swiped a shot wide in front of goal and Msakni – aiming to score at a record-equalling sixth Afcon – was also wasteful, finding himself foiled by Kazapua again when he found his range during a sustained period of pressure for the Carthage Eagles.
The North Africans, who are the third highest African side in the Fifa rankings at 28, looked nervy and out of sorts. They join Ghana as former winners who have lost their opening match at the tournament while Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, and Nigeria were all held in games they were expected to win.
