Bester’s goal gives namibia edge

Rudolf Bester came off the bench to score the winner as Namibia won 1-0 against Congo in their first leg of their 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

Bester came on for Panduleni Nekundi with less than 20 minutes remaining, and after seeing his fine finish into the back of the net ruled off for offside. He was again at the receiving end of a through pass from Heinrich Isaacks on 88 minutes and this time he timed his run to perfection, kept his composure and picked his spot, as he shot low past the advancing Henri Mafoumbi, to all but give Namibia the victory on the night.

The host started the match well and the likes of Tangeni Shipahu, Kaimbi and Willy Stephanus had the Congolese defence under constant pressure. Stephanus had a shot on goal but his fierce shot from the left went wide, while Nekundi had his shot from the penalty area blocked. Kaimbi was ruled offside after collecting a fine ball from Shipahu, letting fly and heading the rebound into far left low corner after being on the floor with the goalkeeper.

In the second half, Congo came out stronger with Fabrice Nguessi in midfield, assisted by Chanel Ndinga and Guelord Bhebey and striker Meyair Douniama giving the host defence some nightmare. Nguessi and Douniama connected well in keeping the host in their own half, while Boris Moubhio also made some good runs into the Namibian half of the pitch.

With no sign of a goal coming, Namibia coach Ricardo Mannetti made multiple substitutions; Bester for Nekundi, Hendrick Somaeb for Shipahu and later on Petrus Shitembi for Stephanus.

Few minutes on, Isaacks picked a ball in midfield and raced through before squaring to Bester, who confidently placed the ball past Mafoumbi, to send the stadium into frenetic celebrations.

The two teams will now prepare for the second and final leg in Pointe- Noire in Congo Brazzaville on 1 June 2014.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) News