A solitary strike from Elmo Kambindu handed Namibia a 1-0 win over Togo in their 2022 World Cup qualifier at the Stade de Kegue in Lome.
The Sparrow Hawks started positively with the first shot on goal in the third minute, but David Henen saw his powerful 22-yard effort go inches wide of the target.
The home side controlled the flow of play, but they just seemed unable to find the right pass in the final third to open up the Brave Warriors defence.
Still, regardless of not seeing much of the ball, Namibia had the next attempt on goal in the 15th minute when Peter Shalulile broke into the box, but his low 16-yard shot shaved the wrong side of the post.
Ten minutes later, Togo managed their second effort on goal when Kodjo Laba met a corner-kick at the front post, but his volley from an acute angle ten-yard out struck the side-netting.
Togo continued to push forward after that, but lacked the killer instinct in front of goal and went into the half time break locked at 0-0.
Paulo Duarte’s men continued to create openings after the halftime break, as Maurof Tchakei headed wide of the mark a minute after the restart.
It was Namibia who broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute through Kambindu, the midfielder was given time and space, before firing an overhead kick into the far corner.
Togo were gifted a great chance for an equalizer at the hour mark when Laba met a cross from Ougadja Mani, but the latter’s 16-yard shot came off his shin and went wide under no pressure.
Ten minutes later, Namibia almost extended their lead in a rare foray forward when Hotto got on the end of a free-kick into the Togo box, but goalkeeper Malcolm Barcola made a great point blank save to deny his header.
Togo threw players forward in search of an equalising goal in the final five minutes but were unable to penetrate the Namibia defence as the match ended 1-0 in favour of the latter.
