Namibia will play Zimbabwe in a vital Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match at Orlando Stadium on Thursday at 3:00 PM CAT. Namibia is seeking to recover from two defeats, while Zimbabwe has drawn both of their matches. The game will be held behind closed doors as confirmed by the Zimbabwean Football Association, with a previous win record favoring Namibia.
With the third round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers approaching, Namibia will face Zimbabwe in a pivotal Group J match at Orlando Stadium on Thursday afternoon. The match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM CAT (GMT+2). Namibia’s hopes in the tournament have been dampened by two consecutive defeats, first against Cameroon and then Kenya, leaving them in a disheartening position at the bottom of their group following a 2-1 loss to Kenya on September 10. This defeat has seen them drop to fourth in Group J. Conversely, while Zimbabwe has yet to secure a win in their qualification matches, their situation is somewhat better. The Warriors have drawn both of their encounters against Kenya and Cameroon, placing them currently in third position, just two points shy of the group leaders, Kenya. It is noteworthy that the match on Thursday will be held behind closed doors, as confirmed by the Zimbabwean Football Association. They stated, “Please note that the Warriors’ Thursday game v Namibia will be played behind closed doors at Namibia’s behest. A request has been made for all fans not to make their way to Orlando Stadium. However, our home game on Monday, 14 October is open to all.” In terms of team news, Zimbabwe will be missing players Tino Kadewere and Tawanda Chirewa due to injuries. Nonetheless, they will welcome the return of former Mamelodi Sundowns star Khama Billiat, who has come out of international retirement, as well as the captain Marvelous Nakamba, who has recovered from injury. Namibia’s squad boasts several PSL talents including Deon Hotto, Lloydt Kazapua, and Riaan Hanamub, among others. Historically, Namibia has fared well against Zimbabwe in their recent meetings, having won four out of their last five encounters, with Zimbabwe’s last victory dating back to 2017 in a 1-0 match.
The match between Namibia and Zimbabwe is part of the qualifying rounds for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a prestigious football tournament that brings together national teams across Africa. The competition serves as a crucial pathway for teams aspiring to secure their place among the continent’s elite football nations. Group J, in which both Namibia and Zimbabwe are competing, is characterized by competitive dynamics, and this encounter is pivotal for both teams as they endeavor to improve their standings within the group after mixed results in their opening matches.
In summary, the upcoming match between Namibia and Zimbabwe at Orlando Stadium represents a critical juncture in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers for both teams. With Namibia seeking to recover from a disappointing start and Zimbabwe aiming to secure their first victory, the stakes are high. The unique circumstances of the match being held behind closed doors only add to the anticipation surrounding this encounter. As both teams prepare, the historical context favors Namibia, potentially influencing the outcome on Thursday afternoon.
Original Source: supersport.com
