Namibia were defeated 5-4 on penalties by Botswana in the 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup quarter-final clash at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday night.
As a result, tournament hosts Namibia will be unable to defend their title, while the Zebras of Botswana progressed to the semi-finals.
The Brave Warriors dominated possession in the opening stages of the game, while looking to grab an early goal against the Zebras
In the ninth minute, Benson Shilongo’s header missed the target following a great cross from lively winger Deon Hotto.
Wangu Gome was fouled on the edge of the Botswana box in the 30th minute, but the Zebras cleared the resultant set-piece.
Eight minutes before the break, Denzil Hoaseb’s cross was easily gathered by Mwampule Masule in Botswana goal.
The Zebras did silence the Sam Nujoma Stadium when Dacosta Angula netted an unfortunate own goal in the 50th minute.
Onkabetse Makgantai nearly made it 2-0 to Botswana seven minutes later, his shot was saved by Maximilian Mbaeva in Namibia goal.
The hosts then took control of the game with Peter Shalulile and Hotto looking lively for the Brave Warriors upfront.
Hoaseb set-up Shalulile in the 77th minute, but the latter placed his header inches wide of the target as Namibia pressed Botswana.
The pressure finally paid off in the 85th minute when Hendrick Somaeb converted from the spot-kick for Namibia to make it 1-1.
The match went into a straight into penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw following an action-packed second-half.
Hotto’s shot was saved by Masule in sudden death and Botswana emerged 5-4 winners on penalties.
Namibia (0) 1 (Somaeb 85’)
Botswana (0) 1 (Dacosta Angula 50’)
Namibia XI: Mbaeva, Hoaseb (Keimuine 61’), Gebhardt, Karongee, Angula, Hotto, Shilongo (Somaeb 60’), Gome, Ketjijere, Shalulile.
Botswana XI: Dambe (Masule 25’), Gadibolae, Gaolaolwe, Kebue, Makgantai (Mogorosi 81’), Galenamotlhale (Sosome 71’), Tshireletso, Mafoko, Sesinyi, Disele, Ramoraka
