Coach Collin Benjamin of Namibia claims that the absence of an international stadium in the nation will make it challenging for the Brave Warriors to make it to the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Since 2011, the Brave Warriors from the COSAFA region have been staging their international home matches in South Africa.
Due to inadequate stadiums, security concerns, the Southern Africa team is one of 17 nations playing their World Cup qualifying home matches away from home.
On Wednesday evening, the Benjamin-drilled side drew 1-all against Liberia on matchday three after taking an early lead through debutant Tjipe Karuuombe in the eighth minute.
Liberia’s pressure paid off in the 65th minute when Terry Sackor pushed the ball into the net at the far post after the Namibians failed to clear a long throw.
Benjamin said that his team had trouble in the air versus long throws and mentioned that inexperience also contributed to the team’s defeat.
“We cannot hope to qualify for the World Cup when we are forced to play all 10 qualifying matches on the road,” Benjamin said.
The draw against Liberia has given Tunisia, who beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0, a two-point lead at the top of Group H. The Carthage Eagles have maintained a 100 percent record in the group, with a third win taking them to nine points.
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Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane converted an 82nd-minute penalty to keep Tunisia on track for a third straight World Cup appearance. Tunisia will now head to South Africa to face Namibia in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.
