Baby Warriors On Track for Finals

A lapse of concentration in the Namibian defence cost the national Under-17 football team dearly after the “Baby Warriors” defeated a stubborn Malawi team by 2 goals to 1 in an otherwise exciting match in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Under-17 qualifier at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium on Saturday.

Both teams resorted to playing a cautious game in the hope of catching each other on the counter attack and it came as no surprise when the first half ended goalless.

However, the hosts came out smoking after the break and struck with two quick goals in the opening three minutes of the second half.

With a paltry attendance of less than 200 spectators – the usually exciting Baby Warriors outfit struggled to get out of first gear with the exception of purple haired winger Enslin Kamunhanga who tormented the Malawian rearguard with some of his trademark penetrating runs down the leftwing in the early stages of the match.

It was the visitors who almost took the lead when Robin Ngalande’s long range effort hit the cross bar.

Sylvetser Ortmann came off the substitutes’ bench to break the deadlock in the 74th minute when the butterfingered Malawian goalkeeper failed to handle Tariq Claasen’s well executed free-kick – allowing the ever alert Ortmann to stroke the loose ball home.

Three minutes later, Ortmann turned from goalscorer to provider when his telling cross found Gregorius Isaack in space and the striker needed no second invitation and his well taken volley kissed the roof of the net.

The hosts almost stretched their lead but Kamuhanga’s effort cannoned off the post with eight minutes left on the clock. With time ticking by and Namibia firmly in the driving seat – Malawian substitute Vilipo Mhango reduced the deficit with a 20-meter scorcher that left Namibian goalkeeper Colin Ndjai catching flies.

The return leg will be played in Blantyre, Malawi in less than two weeks’ time and Namibia need to score an early goal to unsettle the Malawians and avoid conceding goals.