Nees eyes packed Orlando Stadium in Namibia clash

Zimbabwe coach Micheal Nees is hoping for Warriors fans to flock to the Orlando Stadium on Monday night when his side takes on Namibia in a crucial Group J, 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Orlando Stadium.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Zimbabwe moved up to 2nd position in Group J this past Thursday as a result of their 1-0 win against Namibia at the Orlando Stadium.

Khama Billiat, who recently made his way back to international football, scored the winning goal for his nation against the Brave Warriors on his return to South African soil.

As it stands, Namibia sits at the bottom of Group J and have now recorded three consecutive defeats in their 2025 Afcon qualifying bid.

WHAT WAS SAID

With Zimbabwe boasting a large contingent of fans in South Africa, Warriors coach Micheal Nees has urged supporters to turn out in their numbers tomorrow evening.

“We need the spectators, even if they are critical, even if they are against us then we want to change them and turn them around that we play in the way that they are cheering the players and that they are for us,”

“Spectators are needed, otherwise football will become boring.”

Despite suffering defeat last time out, Namibia coach Colin Benjamin believes his side were the better outfit at the Orlando Stadium.

“But I believe my team were the better side, they created more chances,” Benjamin mentioned.

“We played good football in the second half. I counted about nine chances that we failed to convert.

“In the first half before Zimbabwe had a penalty, we had something like three clear chances from set pieces.

“In the end, I’m sitting here with my team with zero points and zero goals. That hurts, especially knowing that you were the better team.”

TEAM NEWS

Zimbabwe will be without Munashe Garananga, Tino Kadewere and Tawanda Chirewa for the upcoming tie owing to injury, while Namibia had no personnel problems this past week.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Zimbabwe’s recent win over Namibia will come as a timely confidence booster, given their past record in this fixture.

The Warriors now have two wins over the Brave Warriors in their last five matches across the board, while Namibia jotted down three victories to their name during this period.