16th January, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Namibia have stunned one of the giants in African football, Tunisia by a lone goal at the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
Deon Hotto was the hero of the day as he struck two minutes to the end of the duration in an AFCON upset, giving Namibia their first-ever win in the tournament.
Bethuel Muzeu swung the ball deep into the box and found Deon Hotto unmarked, and his close-range header flew past the keeper into the roof of the net.
Hotto also scored a second goal on added time, but it was ruled out for offside.
Earlier in the first half, Taha Yassine Khenissi rose highest from the corner to head at goal, but his effort towards the middle of the goal was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper.
Eight minutes into the game, Peter Shalulile latched onto a pullback in the box right in front of the goal, but his shot low towards the middle of the goal was pretty weak and Bechir Ben Said made an easy save. Petrus Shitembi reacted well to get to the rebound and took a shot from the edge of the box, but he failed to get the ball through the players standing between him and the goal.
Shortly after the break, Youssef Msakni rose highest from the corner to head at goal, but his effort towards the underside of the crossbar was brilliantly kept out by the goalkeeper.
In the 50th minute, Shalulile collected a brilliant pass inside the box and found himself in a goal-scoring opportunity. He took a shot, but the effort was well blocked by one of the defending players.
Midway into the second half, Youssef Msakni displayed good awareness near the penalty spot to get on the end of a cross from the free kick, but he steered his header narrowly wide of the right post.
In the 80th minute, Msakni rose above the opponent’s defence and headed a precise cross towards the roof of the net. His effort, however, was blocked by Lloyd Junior Kazapua, who pulled off a stunning save.