Namibia warn Zambia after crushing Zimbabwe

Namibia recorded one of the biggest upsets in recent Cosafa Cup history when they crushed record-winners Zimbabwe to secure a quarterfinal date on Sunday with Zambia.

Namibia smashed the four-time winners 4-1 in Rustenburg in an explosive Group A decider to race past Zimbabwe to finish on 7 and 6 points respectively.

Ricardo Mannetti’s side took a 1-0 halftime when Chris Kajikua headed in the opening goal in the 9th minute.

Namibia made it 2-0 in the 59th minute when Deon Hotto outpaced his marker to chip the ball over Zimbabwe goalkeeper George Chigova.

Hotto completed his brace in the 67th minute with a cheeky side-foot from a tight angle after dashing past his marker again before rounding Chigova.

Zimbabwe were then handed a fortunate penalty for a clear ball-to-hand in the 82nd minute that Raphael Manuvire tucked away.

It was game set and match two minutes later when Sydney Urikhob fired in an unstoppable volley to end Zimbabwe’s interest in the competition.

This will be Zambia and Namibia’s first meeting in the competition since 2009 when Chipolopolo beat the Brave Warriors 1-0 at the same stage at Rufaro Stadium in Harare on their way to picking up silver after losing 3-1 to hosts Zimbabwe.

Zambia, like Zimbabwe, are tied on four Cosafa Cup wins.