In brief
Coach Collin Benjamin named a squad blending veteran and young talent for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, missing injured midfielder Petrus Shitembi. The team will play in Douala on November 12 and host Cameroon in Botswana on November 16, with Namibia sitting third in Group G behind hosts Cameroon.
Namibia announced a 22‑player squad on Monday for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cameroon. Head coach Collin Benjamin said the team mixes experienced internationals with promising newcomers, and the squad will travel to Douala on November 12 for the first match before hosting Cameroon on November 16 in Botswana.
Benjamin pointed out that the selection will bring stability to the side, with veterans Deon Hotto and Riaan Hanamub expected to lead the defensive line, while younger players are given a chance to make an impact. The squad avoids a key player, attacking midfielder Petrus Shitembi, who is sidelined with an injury.
Namibia currently sits third in Group G of the qualifiers, trailing the hosts Cameroon by one point with three points from two matches. Comoros holds the second spot, and Congo still trails at the bottom of the table.
The roster, as released by Xinhua, includes a mix of seasoned footballers and fresh talents. Players such as Ndisiro Kamajanda, Musipilli Sibeso, Ingo Barthromeus Kalonda, Eib Kennedy, Damaseb Sergio, Katua Ngero Kaanjuka, and Kamberipa Ivan were listed in the squad according to a secondary source.
With the first leg in Douala and the return in Botswana, Namibia faces a narrow margin in Group G. A win or draw against Cameroon could push them closer to the knockout stage, while a poor performance could drop them further from the top.
The coaches’ strategy focuses on balancing leadership and youthful energy to secure a place in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, and the upcoming matches will test whether the blend will succeed on the field.
