WINDHOEK: Namibian national senior football team coach Collin Benjamin has unveiled the 23-man squad for the upcoming 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast. The tournament, scheduled from 13 January to 11 February 2024, will see Namibia competing in Group E against Tunisia, Mali, and South Africa in the towns of Korhogo and San Pedro.
According to The Namibia Press Agency, selected by Benjamin, who served as an assistant coach in the 2019 AFCON, comprises a blend of seasoned and new players. Veterans from the 2019 tournament include goalkeepers Loydt Kazapua and Edward Maova, defenders Ryan Nyambe, Denzil Haoseb, Ivan Kamberipa, Charles Hambira, Riaan Hanamub, and Ananias Gebhardt, midfielders Absalom Iimbondi, Petrus Shitembi, Marcell Papama, and strikers Deon Hotto, Peter Shalulile, and Joslin Kamatuka. Newcomers to the AFCON finals are goalkeeper Kamaijanda Ndisiro, defenders Kennedy Amutenya and Lubeni Haukongo, midfielders Ngero Katua, Aprocious Petrus, Prins Tjiueza, Uetuuru Kambato, and forwards Bethuel Muzeu and Wendell Rudath. Coach Benjamin emphasized the importance of surpassing previous performances, focusing on cohesion, strategy, perfection, and the right mindset. The 2023 AFCON will be hosted in five Ivorian cities, with Namibia’s first match against Tunisia scheduled for 16 January 2024 in Korhogo.