Walter Musona scored twice to lead Zimbabwe to a 3-1 victory over Namibia in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers at Orlando Stadium, securing a second consecutive win over Namibia. After a lackluster first half, Zimbabwe surged in the second half with Musona scoring first, followed by a penalty and a goal from Prince Dube. This victory places Zimbabwe second in Group J, needing two points from the remaining matches to qualify for AFCON.
Walter Musona’s exceptional performance with two goals led Zimbabwe to a convincing 3-1 victory over Namibia in the Group J qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held at Orlando Stadium on Monday evening. The win marked Zimbabwe’s second consecutive triumph over Namibia within a span of four days, following a narrow 1-0 success in a first-round match at the same venue last Thursday. The match reflected a stark contrast in performance between the two halves. In the first half, Zimbabwe struggled to establish their dominance, with Terrence Dzvukamanja notably missing a pivotal chance just before halftime, firing off-target from an advantageous position. However, the Warriors showed renewed vigor in the second half. Just five minutes into the half, Walter Musona unleashed a stunning volley from the edge of the box, leaving the Namibian goalkeeper with no opportunity to intervene. Musona further extended the lead in the 61st minute by converting a penalty awarded after a handball incident involving a Namibian defender. The scoring for Zimbabwe was completed in the 89th minute by Prince Dube, who capitalized on an assist from Jordan Zemura. Namibia managed to score a consolation goal just two minutes later, but the result secured a crucial three points for Zimbabwe. This victory propelled Zimbabwe to second place in Group J, accumulating 8 points, two points shy of leaders Cameroon, who are ahead with 10 points. The top two teams from the group will secure qualification for the 2025 AFCON finals; Cameroon has already clinched the first qualifying spot after defeating Kenya 1-0 earlier in the day. Zimbabwe now requires at least two points from their remaining two matches to guarantee their place in the tournament.
The context of this article revolves around the ongoing qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a significant biennial football tournament featuring African national teams. The event not only showcases the top talents in African football but also serves as a pathway for teams to qualify for the finals, which will be held in Ivory Coast. Zimbabwe, known as the Warriors, has demonstrated their ambition to secure a place in the tournament by aiming for a top-two finish in their group, which includes teams such as Cameroon, Kenya, and Namibia. The latest match against Namibia not only reflects the competitive nature of the qualifiers but also highlights the performance of key players like Walter Musona.
In summary, Zimbabwe’s 3-1 victory over Namibia has solidified their position as strong contenders for qualification in the 2025 AFCON finals. The outstanding performance of Walter Musona, who scored twice, along with contributions from other players, has revitalized the team’s campaign. Heading into the final matches of the qualifiers, Zimbabwe’s focus will be on securing the necessary points to ensure their advancement to the tournament, while Cameroon continues to lead the group with a solid performance.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
