Botswana made history by becoming the first team to secure a spot in the semifinals of the women’s Under-20 football tournament at the Region 5 Games. The host nation, Namibia, also had a successful day with both the men’s and women’s teams claiming victories in Windhoek.
In the men’s competition, Namibia got off to a flying start against Zimbabwe, taking a 2-0 lead within the first 13 minutes of the game. Suveree Kauzuu opened the scoring with a stunning curling shot from the edge of the box that found the top corner of the net. Rashid Naobeb then doubled Namibia’s lead after capitalizing on a poor clearance, firing a powerful shot into the back of the net.
However, Zimbabwe fought back and managed to level the score at 2-2. Takudzwa Darkeni’s shot somehow beat the Namibian goalkeeper and nestled into the far corner of the net. The equalizer came when the ball deflected off Mcheni Kavendji and ended up in Namibia’s goal.
The game remained deadlocked until the final 17 minutes when Naobeb completed his brace by unleashing another fierce shot from the edge of the box to give Namibia a 3-2 lead. With this victory, Zimbabwe was eliminated from the competition.
The thrilling encounter showcased the competitive spirit of the teams participating in the Region 5 Games, with Namibia’s men’s team displaying resilience and determination to secure a crucial win on home soil.
Overall, the day’s football action in Windhoek was filled with excitement and drama, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters as the tournament progresses. Stay tuned for more updates and results from the Region 5 Games as the teams battle it out for glory on the football pitch.
