Super-sub Hotto wins it late for Brave Warriors

MAPUTO, OCT. 13 – Brave Warriors’ Deon Hotto came off the bench to secure Namibia a win against 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group K qualification opponents Mozambique and make it 2-1.

nfa.org.na reported that Hotto replaced Absalom Iimbondi after Petrus Shitembi had leveled for Namibia on 70 minutes. Hotto, a Bidvest Wits midfielder, unleashed a speculative shot from 30 meters that flew through the jelly hands of the Mozambican goalkeeper in added time, to break the home side’s hearts and bring Namibia level on points with the rest in Group K.

Mozambique’s Sitoe had given the home side the lead on 25 minutes with a well-taken header from a corner kick.

However, Ricardo Mannetti charges fought back and finally got back into the game via the boot of midfielder Petrus Shitembi, who slotted home from inside the box after some fine play and layoff by returnee Peter Shalulile on 70 minutes.

Riaan Hanamub had a chance to make it three points for the Brave Warriors on 85 minutes only for his shot to be blocked off for Namibia’s first corner kick before Hotto made sure of the points on 90 minutes.

The victory is the best response the boys could give to coach Ricardo Mannetti’ s challenge for them to win away from home and also means they now have four points from three games; the same number of points as Mozambique, Zambia and Guinea Bissau.

Bissau will host Zambia tomorrow, while Namibia play Mozambique at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Tuesday, with kickoff set for 19h00. Tickets for the Tuesday match are selling for N$ 50 on Computicket outlets and at Football House.

The final home game for the Warriors will be against Guinea Bissau between 12-20 November before they visit Zambia in March 2019. The group winner and the runner-up will qualify for the 32nd edition of the Total African Cup of Nations to be played in Cameroon from 15 June to 13 July 2019.

The Brave Warriors starting lineup vs Mozambique: Virgil Vries, Tiberius Lombard, Denzil Haoseb, Riaan Hananub, Ananias Gebhardt, Petrus Shitembi, Ronald Ketjijere, Absalom Iimbondi, Willy Stephanus, Benson Shilongo, and Peter Shalulile. – Courtesy of nfa.org.na