THIS IS NOT A BEAUTY CONTEST, SAYS NEES

Sports Reporter

Namibia ……………………………………………………0

Zimbabwe ……………………………………………..(1) 1

IF you think the Warriors’ performance yesterday was disjointed and poor, Michael Nees has a message for you: THIS IS NOT A BEAUTY CONTEST.

The German coach guided his team to its first victory, under his tutelage, as they edged Namibia 1-0 in a 2025 AFCON qualifier at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday.

Another win on Monday, against the same opponents at the same venue, will be a huge boost in the Warriors moving closer to securing a place at the AFCON finals in Morocco next year.

The Warriors took over pole position in the group ahead of the match between Kenya and Cameroon this evening.

The German gaffer was relieved with his first win of the competition as Khama Billiat made the difference from the penalty spot in the 34th minute.

Goalkeeper Washington Arubi, the oldest man on the pitch at 39 years, summoned all his experience to keep the Brave Warriors at bay with a man-of-the-match performance.

The match was played behind closed doors at the behest of the Namibians who went on to dominate most of the sections of play.

But, in the end, what mattered most for Zimbabwe were the maximum points.

“The game was no beauty contest,” said Nees.

“It was a hard fight that we had anticipated. Because there were no spectators allowed, we knew that it was going to be a fight not a beauty contest.

At half time we said okay, today we also had some technical mistakes and let’s accept.

“We just have to win no matter how it looks.”

Zimbabwe, who have now managed to keep three clean sheets, now have five points after playing out goalless draws against Kenya and Cameroon in their opening two matches.

The Warriors have played one game more than Kenya and Cameroon who are tied on four points.

Namibia remained the only team yet to collect a point in the pool after suffering a third straight loss.

But they will feel they created enough chances in the game yesterday to have got something from it.

Zimbabwe had Billiat to thank yesterday after the 34-year-old scored the only goal of the game on 34 minutes from the penalty-spot.

Kennedy Amutenya had fouled Jordan Zemura in the box.

The conversion, however, was a little fortuitous in that Namibia goalkeeper Edward Maova guessed the right way from the spot but the ball appeared to take a bad bounce off the pitch and went over him.

It is the first goal for Billiat in a competitive international since 2019, having returned to the side from his international retirement in 2021.

Namibia’s lively forward Prins Tjiueza came close to the equaliser just before half-time but his shot from 15 yards hit the outside of the post and went away to safety.

At the other end, Marshall Munetsi’s pass to Daniel Msendami provided an opportunity for the latter whose shot was deflected onto the post and went away to safety.

After that it was all Namibia as they went in search of an equaliser.

Tjiueza had another shot after being set up by Bethuel Muzeu, but his effort was well-saved by goalkeeper Arubi.

The keeper then produced another fine stop to deny Ivan Kamberipa, whose header at the back post from a free kick, was arrowing into the goal.

“You must see the circumstances in which our game was taking place. Today is Thursday and I only had one training session with the full squad.”

 Team

Zimbabwe

Washington Arubi, Godknows Murwira, Gerald Takwara, Jordan Zemura (Hadebe 90+1), Brendon Galloway, Marvellous Nakamba (Hachiro 79th min), Marshal Munetsi, Andrew Rinomhota, Khama Billiat (D Lunga 79th min), Daniel Msendami (P. Dube 69th min), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Mapfumo 69th min)

The post THIS IS NOT A BEAUTY CONTEST, SAYS NEES appeared first on H-Metro.