Namibia stun Togo in Lome

Namibia clinched a precious 1-0 victory on Sunday, beating Togo at their backyard in Lome in their quest for a first-ever qualification to the FIFA World Cup.

With the race to Qatar 2022 gathering pace, the Brave Warriors could not have achieved a better result.

Having started their campaign with a draw against Congo, Namibia were well motivated heading to Togo who started their journey in the qualification campaign with a loss against Senegal.

At the Kegue Stadium in Lome, the first few minutes were fairly balanced, although Namibia created the best chances.

The southern Africans had a brilliant opportunity to break the deadlock after 31 minutes when Peter Shalulile broke through on goal.

But he could not beat Togolese goalkeeper Malcom Barcola one on one.

The home side struggled to create many chances in front of goal, but they only came close a few minutes to the break.

However, Kodjo Laba’s well-angled header could not go past goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.

After a goalless opening half, the second stanza was always going to be tensely competitive.

It was the Namibians who would go for goal first, breaking the deadlock after 54 minutes through Elmo Kambindu’s brilliant effort.

Kambindu rifled in a bicycle-kick past the goalkeeper after picking up a free-kick delivered by Deon Hotto, which was deflected before falling brilliantly into the box.

Stunned by the goal, Togo began to play with more urgency.

Elom Nya-Vedji had an effort for the Togolese Sparrow Hawks, but his eventual shot from the right foot went over the bar.

Namibia almost scored a second goal, but Togo had the frame of goal to thank in the 74th minute.

That was when Shalulile put Absalom Limbondji through on goal and the latter was denied by the woodwork.

Namibia were almost made to pay for that missed opportunity just four minutes on the turn.

But their goalkeeper made a brilliant save to deny Laba, who had been Togo’s biggest threat on goal all game.

Paulo Duarte’s Togolese side kept the push to try and get something off the game and starve off a second consecutive defeat.

However, their efforts went to nothing as they could not find the back of the net for the second consecutive game.

With the result, Namibia move to top of Group H with four points pending Senegal’s match against Congo on Tuesday.

With no points and no goals, Togo sit bottom of the group.