Namibia readies to take on CAF champs
Football
Namibia will compete for the third consecutive year at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Schools Football Championship.
Serving as the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) qualifiers, the tournament will take place in Stellenbosch, South Africa, from 5 to 7 December.
As hosts last year, Namibia failed to progress from their pools in both the boys’ and girls’ competitions. This was a step back from 2023, when both teams finished in fourth place.
Namibia first competed in the zonal qualifiers two years ago in Harare, Zimbabwe, after missing the inaugural edition in Malawi.
Harare campaign
In the boys’ competition in Harare, Namibia received a walkover win against Zambia before beating Madagascar 2-0 and Angola 1-0. They narrowly lost 2-1 to South Africa, which set up a bronze-medal match against hosts Zimbabwe. They fell 1-0 to finish fourth.
The girls’ side followed a similar path. After a walkover victory over Zambia, they played to a 0-0 draw with Madagascar, defeated Angola 2-1 and lost 3-0 to South Africa. In the bronze-medal match, they were beaten 4-0 by Mozambique, also finishing fourth.
Walvis Bay struggles
Back on home soil in 2024, Namibia found the competition tougher.
In the boys’ pool, they lost 6-0 to Malawi and 1-0 to Zambia, but closed their campaign with a 2-1 win over Lesotho. The result was only enough for third in the pool.
In the girls’ competition, Namibia drew 2-2 with Malawi and received a 3-0 walkover win over Zambia. That set up a decisive match for second place in the pool against Lesotho, who won 1-0.
Optimism
Despite inconsistent past results, Namibia have shown potential in both age groups. With valuable experience gained over the last two editions, optimism remains that the teams can fight for a podium finish this year.
The draw for the 11-team tournament will be conducted a few days before the competition.
Namibia’s past finishes
Boys:
2022 - did not enter
2023 - fourth place
2024 - group stage
Girls:
2022 - did not enter
2023 - fourth place
2024 - group stage
Namibia’s past results
Boys (2023):
Zambia 0-3 Namibia*, Madagascar 0-2 Namibia, South Africa 2-1 Namibia, Angola 0-1 Namibia, Zimbabwe 1-0 Namibia
*Awarded as a 3-0 walkover as Zambia were not present.
Boys (2024):
Namibia 0-6 Malawi, Namibia 0-1 Zambia, Namibia 2-1 Lesotho
Girls (2023):
Zambia 0-3 Namibia*, Madagascar 0-0 Namibia, South Africa 3-0 Namibia, Angola 1-2 Namibia, Mozambique 4-0 Namibia
*Awarded as a 3-0 walkover as Zambia were not present.
Girls (2024):
Namibia 2-2 Malawi, Namibia 3-0 Zambia*, Namibia 0-1 Lesotho
*Awarded as a 3-0 walkover as Zambia were not present.
Serving as the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) qualifiers, the tournament will take place in Stellenbosch, South Africa, from 5 to 7 December.
As hosts last year, Namibia failed to progress from their pools in both the boys’ and girls’ competitions. This was a step back from 2023, when both teams finished in fourth place.
Namibia first competed in the zonal qualifiers two years ago in Harare, Zimbabwe, after missing the inaugural edition in Malawi.
Harare campaign
In the boys’ competition in Harare, Namibia received a walkover win against Zambia before beating Madagascar 2-0 and Angola 1-0. They narrowly lost 2-1 to South Africa, which set up a bronze-medal match against hosts Zimbabwe. They fell 1-0 to finish fourth.
The girls’ side followed a similar path. After a walkover victory over Zambia, they played to a 0-0 draw with Madagascar, defeated Angola 2-1 and lost 3-0 to South Africa. In the bronze-medal match, they were beaten 4-0 by Mozambique, also finishing fourth.
Walvis Bay struggles
Back on home soil in 2024, Namibia found the competition tougher.
In the boys’ pool, they lost 6-0 to Malawi and 1-0 to Zambia, but closed their campaign with a 2-1 win over Lesotho. The result was only enough for third in the pool.
In the girls’ competition, Namibia drew 2-2 with Malawi and received a 3-0 walkover win over Zambia. That set up a decisive match for second place in the pool against Lesotho, who won 1-0.
Optimism
Despite inconsistent past results, Namibia have shown potential in both age groups. With valuable experience gained over the last two editions, optimism remains that the teams can fight for a podium finish this year.
The draw for the 11-team tournament will be conducted a few days before the competition.
Namibia’s past finishes
Boys:
2022 - did not enter
2023 - fourth place
2024 - group stage
Girls:
2022 - did not enter
2023 - fourth place
2024 - group stage
Namibia’s past results
Boys (2023):
Zambia 0-3 Namibia*, Madagascar 0-2 Namibia, South Africa 2-1 Namibia, Angola 0-1 Namibia, Zimbabwe 1-0 Namibia
*Awarded as a 3-0 walkover as Zambia were not present.
Boys (2024):
Namibia 0-6 Malawi, Namibia 0-1 Zambia, Namibia 2-1 Lesotho
Girls (2023):
Zambia 0-3 Namibia*, Madagascar 0-0 Namibia, South Africa 3-0 Namibia, Angola 1-2 Namibia, Mozambique 4-0 Namibia
*Awarded as a 3-0 walkover as Zambia were not present.
Girls (2024):
Namibia 2-2 Malawi, Namibia 3-0 Zambia*, Namibia 0-1 Lesotho
*Awarded as a 3-0 walkover as Zambia were not present.
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