- Namibia are rated 87 places lower than Tunisia according to FIFA’s rankings
- Ghana, Egypt and Nigeria have all already been shocked at the competition
- CHRIS SUTTON: Don’t wait! Sir Jim Ratcliffe must fire Erik ten Hag now – It’s All Kicking Off
Namibia sealed their first ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday night with a huge shock over 2004 winners Tunisia.
The Brave Warriors are currently ranked 115th in the world by FIFA, and have never before won a game at the tournament, despite three entries into the competition proper in their history.
However, their first game of the 2023 edition proved to be a history-maker, with former international Collin Benjamin overseeing a maiden victory in dramatic circumstances.
With the clash heading for a drab 0-0 draw – what would have been the first of the tournament at the time of writing – Deon Hotto of the Orlando Pirates came up with the goods to make it three massive points for his side.
Bethuel Muzeu had only come off the bench 20 minutes earlier, but sent in a sublime cross from deep on the left flank, onto which Hotto charged before heading high into the roof of the goal from close range.
Deon Hotto scored the historic goal that sealed Namibia’s first ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations
The goal sparked jubilant celebrations throughout the team, with the full-time whistle also greeted with an outpouring of emotion
Hotto made straight for the fans, leaping over the advertising boards around the pitch and trying to get closer to the supporters, followed by his elated team-mates as Namibia got truly caught up in the moment.
The final whistle went just a few moments later, confirming a historic night for the Brave Warriors – and one to forget for Tunisia.
At full-time, the majority of the Namibian bench sprinted onto the pitch to revel in their achievement.
But for one substitute it was clearly an emotional night, with the player down on one knee on the touchline with their head in their hands, seemingly moved to tears.
Tunisian fans appeared stunned in disbelief at the result in Ivory Coast, their side the much more fancied of the two, ranked 28th in the world by FIFA and making an appearance at the last World Cup where they famously beat France 1-0.
But the jubilation of the victors was an almost perfect juxtaposition, with supporters dancing with joy in the crowd.
The players were evidently affected somewhat more by the result, crowding around goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua, who was down on his knees and pointing to the sky deep in thought.
Such was the effort from the underdogs that captain Peter Shalulile was sat in the centre circle stretching out his legs to ward off cramp, unable to join his team-mates.
The Brave Warriors will next face neighbours South Africa, before taking on Mali in their final Group E game
Tunisia and Namibia have been drawn in Group E alongside Mali and South Africa, who faced off in the later kick-off.
It has already been an AFCON filled with upsets as we near the end of the first round of matches.
Cape Verde beat Ghana after a stoppage-time winner from Garry Rodrigues following a defensive howler from the Black Stars – four-time winners of the competition.
Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah and Egypt were denied an opening win by Mozambique with the Liverpool talisman rescuing a point with a 97th-minute penalty, and Nigeria were held by Equatorial Guinea.
