South Africa secured their first win at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Namibia. Percy Tau opened the scoring with an early penalty, followed by Themba Zwane’s brilliant brace and a late goal from substitute Thapelo Maseko.
Tau, seeking redemption after missing a penalty in the previous match against Mali, confidently converted from the spot in the first quarter of an hour. Zwane extended the lead with two impressive goals, capitalizing on defensive lapses in the Namibian backline.
Namibia initially showed attacking intent, with Prins Tjiueza testing South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams early on. However, South Africa’s defense held firm, and Namibia missed key opportunities, including a chance for Absalom Limbondi.
Thapelo Morena’s dynamic run down the right set up Zwane for the second goal, and Zwane completed his brace with a composed finish after an electrifying solo run. Namibia’s defense struggled to contain South Africa’s attacking prowess, and Maseko added to the tally late in the game.
South Africa’s dominant performance marked the largest victory in their country’s Afcon history and the widest margin in the 2023 tournament so far. The win puts South Africa in contention for the knockout stage, with the final group matches set to determine their fate. Namibia faces a crucial match against Mali to determine their progression in the tournament.
Group E concludes on Wednesday, with South Africa facing Tunisia and Namibia taking on Mali. Both teams have the opportunity to secure a spot in the last 16, intensifying the competition for knockout stage qualification.
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