Benjamin’s men face crucial Cameroon double-header

Football
Namibia take on the Indomitable Lions in a crucial AFCON double-header, with Carlos Baleba also ruled out through injury for the hosts.
Brian Munango
  • 59 Minutes Ago

The Brave Warriors face one of their biggest tests in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying campaign when they take on Cameroon in a two-match Group G double-header starting in Douala on Thursday.


Head coach Collin Benjamin has named a final 22-player squad for the encounters, with Namibia looking to collect valuable points against the Indomitable Lions and strengthen their qualification hopes.


The first meeting takes place at Japoma Stadium in Douala on 12 November, before the two sides meet again on 16 November in Gaborone, Botswana, where Namibia will host the return fixture.

Namibia head into the double-header with three points from their opening two matches, having beaten Congo 1–0 in Gaborone before suffering a narrow 1–0 defeat to Comoros in Moroni.

The final selection includes experienced campaigners Peter Shalulile, Deon Hotto, Riaan Hanamub and Moses Shidolo, alongside Sekhukhune United forward Betuel Muzeu, who scored against Congo.


The Brave Warriors will also be encouraged by their previous encounters against Cameroon. Namibia recorded a memorable 2–1 victory over the Indomitable Lions in March 2023 and drew the return fixture 1–1 in Yaoundé. Their most recent meetings in 2024 ended in a goalless draw in Namibia and a 1–0 victory for Cameroon.


Cameroon, meanwhile, will also be without one of their key midfielders, Carlos Baleba, who has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury while playing for Manchester United against Roma. The Indomitable Lions started their qualifying campaign with a 3–1 victory over Comoros before drawing 1–1 against Congo, leaving them with four points from two matches.

For Benjamin, the Cameroon fixtures come after a difficult international period that included Namibia's 6–0 friendly defeat to Russia. The coach has since stressed the need for physical and tactical improvements, accepting full responsibility for the result.


The two matches will therefore provide an important opportunity for the Brave Warriors to demonstrate progress against strong continental opposition.

With Cameroon leading Group G on four points and Namibia sitting on three, the double-header could have a significant influence on the qualification race. The top two teams will advance to the 2027 AFCON finals.


Namibia will need discipline, defensive organisation and greater efficiency in front of goal if they are to return from Douala with a positive result before the return encounter in Gaborone.


Benjamin’s 22-man squad includes three goalkeepers: Ndisiro Kamajanda, Musipilli Sibeso and Ingo Barthromeus Kalonda.


The defensive options are Kennedy Eib, Sergio Damaseb, Katua Ngero, Ivan Kamberipa, Tyrese Hikupembe, Riaan Hanamub, Sisqo Baggio Haraseb and Cosmos Shitulapo.

In midfield, Benjamin has selected Johannes Shiyave, Aprocius Petrus, Absalom Manjana Kamtuyasha Iimbondi, Lawrence Doeseb, Moses Shidolo, Wendell Rudath, Prins Tjiueza and Deon Hotto.


The attacking department features Rashid Noabeb, Beteul Muzeu and Peter Shalulile.