AFCON 2023 Q: Brave Warriors Stun Lions To Blow Group C Open

Four days after a stalemate in the backyard of the 5-time African champions Cameroon, coach Benjamin Collins and his charges have completed the upset by defeating the indomitable Lions 2-1 in Johannesburg.

Namibia completed an excellent week on Tuesday by defeating Cameroon 2-1 at the Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa to move to the top of Group C in qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Peter Shalulile struck again for the Brave Warriors and Absalom Limbondi doubled the lead for the hosts before Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar volleyed in a late consolation for the Indomitable Lions. Namibia are now a point ahead of Cameroon at the top of the three-team group with Burundi in third four points back of the new leaders.

Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song needed a positive result after the teams played to a 1-1 draw in Yaoundé last week but the Indomitable Lions lacked inspiration against a motivated Namibian side. After an uneventful first half where both teams were limited to half chances, it was Namibia who improved their play after the break and found the opener. In the 55th minute Ndero Katua’s low shot was spilled by Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy in front of his goal where the predatory Shalulile swooped in to finish the rebound.

Namibia’s defense continued to be stubborn and Cameroon failed to provide adequate service to its talented frontline, setting the scene for a second Namibia goal in the 79th minute that sealed Song’s likely fate as coach of the Indomitable Lions. Following a foul outside the Cameroon box, Limbondi’s free kick went through the wall and left Epassy stranded as the ball went into the net. A desperate push from the Cameroonians resulted in Aboubakar volleying an early cross into the goal in stoppage time but Namibia held on for another massive result in their push to qualify. Nothing is definitive yet in group C. Burundi are on a point with games against Cameroon and Namibia left, while Cameroon are on 4 points with a spare game against Burundi. Namibia lead the group with 5 points and a game in hand.