Namibia head coach Collin Benjamin keen to ‘write history’ against Mali
Namibia are relishing the opportunity to make history when they take on Mali in their final Africa Cup of Nations Group E match, head coach Collin Benjamin has said.
The Brave Warriors are looking to make it into the knockout rounds for the first time in a campaign that has already seen them register their maiden victory in the competition, 1-0 against Tunisia in their opener.
Having subsequently been thumped 4-0 by South Africa, Benjamin’s side are currently third in a pool that sees Mali top with four points, the Bafana Bafana second with three like them, and Tunisia bottom with one.
FULL-TIME!
Deon Hotto's late winner secures all 3 points for Namibia. #TUNNAM | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/SIr4peZRs2
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 16, 2024
And he told a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s contest in San-Pedro Stadium: “We will not rely on other teams’ performance for qualification.
“We have the chance to write history for our country, and we look forward to the game.”
Namibia captain Peter Shalulile said: “Why should we wait for others to do us favours when we can do the job ourselves?
“We will show up tomorrow and give the game all we have got, and leave the rest to God.”
The shock result in Namibia’s opening game in the Ivory Coast was against opponents sat 87 places higher than them in FIFA’s world rankings, with Tunisia currently in 28th spot.
Wednesday’s clash at Laurent Pokou Stadium pits them against a Mali outfit ranked 51st who defeated South Africa 2-0 in their first fixture.
Eric Chelle’s team then battled out a 1-1 draw with the Tunisians in their second group game on Saturday.
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