Namibia and Zimbabwe are set to face each other in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers at Orlando Stadium on October 10, 2024. Namibia aims to recover from two defeats, while Zimbabwe seeks its first win after two draws. The match will be played behind closed doors, affecting fan attendance, and key players will be missing for both sides. Historically, Namibia has the upper hand in recent encounters against Zimbabwe.
Namibia and Zimbabwe will be seeking to improve their standings in the Group J qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as they face each other at Orlando Stadium on Thursday, October 10, 2024. The match is set to commence at 3:00 PM CAT. Namibia has faced a challenging start to their qualifying campaign, suffering two successive defeats against Cameroon and Kenya. Following a disappointing 2-1 loss to Kenya, Namibia currently occupies the fourth position in their group. Conversely, Zimbabwe’s situation in the AFCON qualifiers has been somewhat more advantageous, although they remain without a victory after two matches, having recorded 0-0 draws against both Kenya and Cameroon. As a result, Zimbabwe holds the third position in Group J, trailing Kenya and Cameroon by two points. The match will be played behind closed doors as per Namibia’s request, though the return fixture on Monday, October 14, will permit fan attendance. The Zimbabwean Football Association issued a statement urging fans to refrain from attending Thursday’s game. In terms of player availability, Zimbabwe will be without Tino Kadewere and Tawanda Chirewa due to calf and thigh injuries. However, the return of Khama Billiat, who recently came out of international retirement, is a positive development for the team. Additionally, the Warriors’ captain Marvelous Nakamba returns to the squad after recovering from injury. Namibia will feature several talents from the Professional Soccer League, including Deon Hotto and Riaan Hanamub. Historically, Namibia has shown a clear advantage over Zimbabwe, having won four out of their last five encounters. The last time Zimbabwe triumphed over Namibia was in 2017, when they secured a 1-0 win during an Africa Cup of Nations match.
The Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are a critical aspect of African football, providing teams the opportunity to secure their place in the prestigious tournament. Group J of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers sees Namibia and Zimbabwe vying for essential points. Namibia’s difficult start, illustrated by defeats to Cameroon and Kenya, must be overcome if they aim to qualify. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe has drawn their matches but seeks to convert ties into victories. The historical rivalry between the two teams adds another layer of significance to their upcoming clashes, especially considering Namibia’s recent successful track record against Zimbabwe.
Both teams are under pressure to secure a crucial victory in the AFCON qualifiers, with Namibia aiming to bounce back from recent defeats while Zimbabwe seeks to convert draws into wins. The closed-door match adds a unique atmosphere to the encounter, though the return fixture later in the week will welcome supporters. With historical context favoring Namibia, the clash could prove pivotal for both squads as they strive for qualification.
Original Source: africanfootball.com
