World Cup (Q): Collin Benjamin shares Namibia’s painful lessons

Namibia coach Collin Benjamin has shared what he called painful lessons his team has learnt in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Africa.

The coach reflected on the qualifying matches for Group H going into Tuesday’s meeting with São Tomé and Príncipe in Botswana.

The Brave Warriors mentor spoke about the lessons following his team’s 1-2 loss to Malawi in Francistown on Friday.

Ahead of the match against São Tomé, Benjamin said he had drilled his side to be more clinical.

“We look forward to having a good game,” the coach told the Namibia Football Association media.

“São Tomé is a very dangerous team. They are difficult on set-pieces. They have a striker who is really very fast on the counter so it is important that we control the phases—in possession when we lose it, and that is the main focus.”

Benjamin shared insights on what he expects from the opposition that is yet to register a win in the pool.

“We will be calm. We will be collected and have a good game. We want to win the games. We want to have successful games. We want to give our all in the games. The only difference in this game is that if we get the chances, we have to convert them. These lessons are hard. They are painful.”

Against Malawi, Namibia were punished by defensive mix-ups that saw strikers Richard Mbulu and Gabadinho Mhango scoring in either half.

Substitute David Ndeunyema scored the Brave Warriors’ consolation goal. Namibia now hope to bounce back against bottom-placed São Tomé and Príncipe on Tuesday.

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