Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire: Namibia pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations history, defeating 2004 champions Tunisia 1-0 in a dramatic Group E opener on Tuesday. The victory, sealed by a late goal from Deon Hotto in the 89th minute, marked a momentous occasion for the southern African nation, giving them an excellent start in the tournament.
The match was a tightly contested affair, with both sides displaying defensive resilience. In a first half that saw few clear-cut chances, Namibia and Tunisia battled for dominance, but neither side could break the deadlock. The Carthage Eagles, despite controlling possession, struggled to find a way through Namibia’s well-organized defense led by Ivan Kamberipa.
Tunisian captain Youssef Msakni tested Namibian goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua with a curled shot, but the Brave Warriors’ disciplined approach kept the Tunisian attacks at bay. As the game progressed, Tunisia’s frustration grew, while Namibia maintained their focus and tactical discipline.
The breakthrough for Namibia came in the dying moments of the match. Hotto capitalized on a long ball over the defense, showing great pace and composure to slot the ball past Tunisian goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said. His second goal was disallowed for offside, but the single goal was enough to secure a historic win.
Namibia’s victory, their first in Africa Cup of Nations history, came in their tenth game in the competition (D2 L7). The win places them at the top of Group E with three points, as South Africa prepares to play Mali in the group’s other match.
For Tunisia, the defeat is a significant setback, continuing their trend of failing to win their opening games in the last five AFCONs. The Carthage Eagles will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming match against Mali on January 20, while Namibia faces regional rivals South Africa on January 21.
This shock victory over one of Africa’s football giants not only gives Namibia a good chance of progressing from Group E but also sends a strong message to other teams in the tournament about their capabilities and determination.
