Namibia coach Collin Benjamin - Photo by FIFA.com.
Namibia head coach Collin Benjamin is optimistic their fine start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will translate into the team qualifying for the tournament for the first time in their history.
Unlike in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers where they have performed dismally, the Brave Warriors have enjoyed a good run in the World Cup qualifiers drawing 0-0 against Tunisia, 1-1 against Liberia, beat Equatorial Guinea 3-0 away and 2-0 win against Sao Tome and Principe.
In an interview with FIFA.com, Benjamin explained what it will mean for the nation to qualify for the World Cup. ”It’s unimaginable! We’ve always dreamed of this, and we’ll do everything possible to achieve it. I believe our chances have never been better than they are now,” he told FIFA.com.
“However, there are still many games to play and points to collect. We’re getting out there and working hard. We believe in our ability, and we respect our opponents. But we also know that everything is possible, and we want to compete. We also know that no dream happens just like that. We have to work, and we’re prepared to work.”
On their performances so far, Benjamin said of Namibia, who sit second in the group behind leaders Tunisia: “Collin Benjamin: It’s been quite a challenging journey but also an exciting one. The matches we’ve played so far against Tunisia [0-0], Liberia [1-1], Equatorial Guinea [3-0 away win] and Sao Tome and Príncipe [2-0 win] have been tough.
“We’re in a transitional phase, and it naturally takes time for the players to adapt and for the team to move smoothly from one generation to the next. Being just two points behind Tunisia confirms that we’re on the right track and need to keep pushing forward even harder.”
On managing a draw against the Carthage Eagles, the 45-year-old said: “If you’d have asked me before the game [if I would have taken a point], I’d have said, ‘Yes’. But, looking at how the match actually went, I think we were the better team that day.
“We created some clear-cut chances and could have scored. I felt that we actually had a chance to win it – we could have taken the game. But we’ll accept the 0-0 result, learn from our mistakes and focus on improving for the future when we go to Tunisia for the last match in the group.”
The Brave Warriors have endured a bad run of results in the AFCON qualifiers losing their opening four matches - 1-0 against Cameroon, 2-1 against Kenya, 1-0 against Zimbabwe, 3-1 against the same side before picking their first point in a 0-0 draw against the Indomitable Lions at Orlando Stadium in South Africa on Wednesday.
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