Chan debutants Namibia stunned Cote D’Ivoire 1-0 in their opening match in Group B at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco on Sunday.
The Elephants dominated possession in the early stages of the game as they looked to break the deadlock against the Brave Warriors.
However, the West African side suffered a blow when Pacome Zouzoua went down injured in the 32nd minute and he was replaced by Manasse N’Goh.
The Brave Warriors then applied some pressure on the Cote D’Ivoire defence with the half break fast approaching.
But forwards Junias Theophilus and Absalom Iimbondi failed to convert Namibia’s goal-scoring opportunities.
The score was 0-0 between Cote D’Ivoire and Namibia during the half time beak.
Ricardo Mannetti, the Namibia coach, made a change 18 minutes after the restart – introducing Itanumua Keimuine as the Southern African side looked to take the lead.
They should have snatched a late winning goal when Petrus Shitembi set-up second-half Panduleni Nekunde.
The latter turned beautifully inside the box, but he fired straight at Cote D’Ivoire goalkeeper Ble Hortalin, who made a comfortable save.
However, Namibia did grab a late winning goal when Vetunuavi Hambira scored with a header in stoppage time and ultimately, the Brave Warriors emerged 1-0 winners.
Line-ups:
Cote D’Ivoire: Hortalin, Brito, Akassou, Coulibaly, Diomonde, Togui, Yao Alphonse/77’ N’Guessan, Sylla, Sanogo/83’ Zan Bi, Yao Raoul, Zouzoua/32’ N’Goh
Namibia: Kazapua, Hambira, Hanamub, Karongee, Theophilus/74’ Nekundi, Fredericks, Ilmbondi, Somaeb/63’ Keimuine, Kejijkere, Shitembi/90+2’ Nenkavu, Kambanda.
Watch highlights below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC8JLATUt0U
