Namibia national football team

The Namibia national football team represents Namibia in men's international football and is controlled by the Namibia Football Association.[2] They have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup but have made four appearances in the Africa Cup of Nations. The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Namibia women's national football team.

Namibia
Nickname(s)Brave Warriors
AssociationNamibia Football Association (NFA)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachCollin Benjamin
CaptainPeter Shalulile
Most capsDenzil Haoseb (82)
Top scorerPeter Shalulile (16)
Home stadiumIndependence Stadium
FIFA codeNAM
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 97 9 (20 June 2024)[1]
Highest68 (November 1998)
Lowest167 (July 2006)
First international
South-West Africa 0–1 Angola 
(Namibia; 16 May 1989)
Biggest win
 Namibia 6–0 Botswana 
(Windhoek, Namibia; 25 August 1996)
 Namibia 8–2 Benin 
(Windhoek, Namibia; 15 July 2000)
Biggest defeat
 Egypt 7–1 Namibia 
(Cairo, Egypt; 8 November 1996)
 Egypt 8–2 Namibia 
(Alexandria, Egypt; 13 July 2001)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances4 (first in 1998)
Best resultRound of 16 (2023)
African Nations Championship
Appearances2 (first in 2018)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2018)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances19 (first in 1997)
Best resultChampions (2015)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
2015 South Africa
1997 Southern Africa
1999 Southern Africa

History

Namibia played its first international under the name South-West Africa on 16 May 1989 at home against neighbouring Angola and lost 1–0. On 23 March 1990, only two days after gaining independence from South Africa, they hosted neighbour Zimbabwe and lost 5–1. On 7 June, they lost a home friendly 2–1 to Mauritius. Namibia's next contests were played in Lesotho, where they lost 2–0 to their hosts on 1 August 1992, but gained their first ever draw in a 2–2 tie against the same opposition the very next day. Namibia's first win came on 1 July 1994 in a 1–0 victory away over Botswana in a friendly. On 17 May 1998, Namibia played their first match outside of Africa and against non-African opposition, losing 2–1 in a friendly in France against Saudi Arabia.[3]

Namibia has made four appearances in the African Cup of Nations, going out in the first round in their first three competitions and going out in the Round of 16 in their fourth competition. In 1998, Namibia lost to Ivory Coast 4–3 and drew Angola 3–3 before losing to South Africa 4–1. In 2008, Namibia lost to Morocco 5–1 and to Ghana 1–0 but drew Guinea 1–1 in their last match. In 2019, they lost all their group games scoring only a single goal. They lost to Morocco 1–0, and suffered the same loss to South Africa before losing to Ivory Coast 4–1.

The most capped player of the Brave Warriors is defender Denzil Haoseb with 82 caps while Peter Shalulile is the all-time top goal scorer with 16 goals. He reached this milestone in a 1–1 draw against Cameroon in the AFCON qualifiers at Yaoundé on 24 March 2023.[4][5]

Namibia reached the Round of 16 for the first time in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they lost 3–0 against Angola.

Results and fixtures
Main article: Namibia national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023
5 July 2023 COSAFA Cup South Africa  1–1  Namibia Durban
18:00
  • Human 48'
 Report
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
8 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Namibia  1–2  Eswatini Durban
18:00
Report
  • Matse 41'
  • Matsebula 44'
 Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
11 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Namibia  0–0  Botswana Durban
18:00 Report Stadium: Chatsworth Stadium
4 September Friendly Zimbabwe  2–2
(5–4 p)		  Namibia Harare, Zimbabwe
  • Msebe 2'
  • F. Banda 36'
 Report
  • Eliakim 30'
  • Kambanda 68'
 Stadium: National Sports Stadium
9 September Friendly South Africa  0–0  Namibia Soweto, South Africa
Report Stadium: Orlando Stadium
15 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Equatorial Guinea  0–3
Awarded[lower-alpha 1]		  Namibia Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
14:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Estadio de Malabo
Referee: Ali Sabilla (Uganda)
21 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification São Tomé and Príncipe  0–2  Namibia Agadir, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Agadir Stadium
Referee: Ousmane Diakate (Mali)

2024
8 January Friendly Ghana  0–0  Namibia Kumasi, Ghana
20:00 UTC±0 Report Stadium: Baba Yara Stadium
Referee: Charles Benle Bulu (Ghana)
16 January 2023 AFCON GS Tunisia  0–1  Namibia Korhogo, Ivory Coast
17:00 UTC±0 Report Hotto 88' Stadium: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium
Attendance: 13,991
Referee: Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia)
21 January 2023 AFCON GS South Africa  4–0  Namibia Korhogo, Ivory Coast
 Report Stadium: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium
Attendance: 9,304
Referee: Youcef Gamouh (Algeria)
24 January 2023 AFCON GS Namibia  0–0  Mali San-Pédro, Ivory Coast
17:00 Report Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
Attendance: 15,231
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)
27 January 2023 AFCON R16 Angola  3–0  Namibia Bouaké, Ivory Coast
 Report Stadium: Stade de la Paix, Bouaké
Attendance: 28,663
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
1 June Friendly Lesotho  1–1  Namibia
5 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Namibia  1–1  Liberia Johannesburg, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2
  • Karuuombe 8'
 Report
Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Messie Jessie Oved Nkounkou Mvoutou (Congo)
9 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Namibia  0–0  Tunisia Johannesburg, South Africa
21:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
28 June 2024 COSAFA Cup Angola  0–0  Namibia Gqeberha
Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
1 July 2024 COSAFA Cup Namibia  v  Lesotho Gqeberha
18:00 Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
3 July 2024 COSAFA Cup Namibia  v  Seychelles Gqeberha
Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium

Coaching history
Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.[7]

Caps and goals correct as of 27 January 2024, after the match against Angola.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Lloyd Kazapua (1989-03-25) 25 March 1989 41 0 Chippa United
16 1GK Kamaijanda Ndisiro (1999-12-01) 1 December 1999 5 0 African Stars
23 1GK Edward Maova (1994-09-05) 5 September 1994 13 0 University of Pretoria
2 2DF Denzil Haoseb (1991-02-25) 25 February 1991 83 0 Khomas Nampol
3 2DF Ananias Gebhardt (1988-09-08) 8 September 1988 65 2 Baroka
4 2DF Riaan Hanamub (1995-02-08) 8 February 1995 44 0 AmaZulu
5 2DF Charles Hambira (1990-06-03) 3 June 1990 29 3 African Stars
12 2DF Kennedy Amutenya (1996-07-15) 15 July 1996 15 0 Gaborone United
18 2DF Aprocius Petrus (1999-10-09) 9 October 1999 33 0 Cape Town City
20 2DF Ivan Kamberipa (1994-02-03) 3 February 1994 32 0 Orapa United
21 2DF Lubeni Haukongo (2000-09-24) 24 September 2000 7 0 Cape Town Spurs
22 2DF Ryan Nyambe (1997-12-03) 3 December 1997 18 0 Derby County
6 3MF Ngero Katua (2001-07-25) 25 July 2001 12 0 UNAM
8 3MF Uetuuru Kambato (1998-01-24) 24 January 1998 3 0 African Stars
10 3MF Prins Tjiueza (2002-03-12) 12 March 2002 14 1 Liria Prizren
14 3MF Joslin Kamatuka (1991-07-27) 27 July 1991 26 3 Maritzburg United
15 3MF Marcel Papama (1996-04-28) 28 April 1996 34 1 Jwaneng Galaxy
17 3MF Wendell Rudath (1995-07-10) 10 July 1995 17 2 Jwaneng Galaxy
19 3MF Petrus Shitembi (1992-05-11) 11 May 1992 79 4 Kuching City
7 4FW Deon Hotto (1990-10-29) 29 October 1990 73 11 Orlando Pirates
9 4FW Bethuel Muzeu (2000-02-22) 22 February 2000 15 1 Black Leopards
11 4FW Absalom Iimbondi (1991-10-11) 11 October 1991 64 7 Khomas Nampol
13 4FW Peter Shalulile (Captain) (1993-03-23) 23 March 1993 54 16 Mamelodi Sundowns

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Namibia in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Jonas Mateus (1996-02-10) 10 February 1996 0 0 Ongos Valley 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
GK Immanuel Immanuel (1990-12-02) 2 December 1990 0 0 Blue Waters 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
GK Philipp Katjimune (1996-10-02) 2 October 1996 0 0 Orlando Pirates 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Steven Damaseb (2002-10-11) 11 October 2002 4 0 Blue Waters 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Lubeni Haukongo (2000-09-24) 24 September 2000 2 0 Cape Town Spurs 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Erasmus Ikeinge (1995-02-08) 8 February 1995 1 0 Khomas Nampol 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Given Mutuezu (1997-03-21) 21 March 1997 0 0 Mighty Gunners 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
DF Stefan Amukwaya (1997-10-03) 3 October 1997 1 0 Orlando Pirates 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Ronald Ketjijere (1987-12-12) 12 December 1987 65 2 African Stars 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Edmund Kambanda (1993-02-25) 25 February 1993 9 1 African Stars 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Edmar Kamatuka (2002-07-26) 26 July 2002 5 0 UNAM 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Romeo Kasume (1997-10-21) 21 October 1997 4 0 Ongos Valley 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Revered Matroos (1993-03-08) 8 March 1993 1 0 Khomas Nampol 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Simon Elago (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 1 0 Tura Magic 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Paulus Amutenya (2002-07-22) 22 July 2002 0 0 UNAM 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Lawrence Doeseb (2003-06-04) 4 June 2003 0 0 Life Fighters 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Alfeus Leevi (2001-01-18) 18 January 2001 0 0 Eeshoke Chula Chula 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Tjipe Karuuombe (2001-09-21) 21 September 2001 0 1 UNAM v.  Liberia; 5 June 2024 PRE
MF Steven Damaseb (2002-10-11) 11 October 2002 0 0 Blue Waters 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Moses Shidolo (1998-05-20) 20 May 1998 0 0 Eeshoke Chula Chula 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Devin Somseb (1995-05-29) 29 May 1995 3 0 United Africa Tigers 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
MF Dynamo Fredericks (1992-04-04) 4 April 1992 45 1 African Stars 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Ralph Nghipandulwa (2002-07-22) 22 July 2002 2 0 UNAM 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Niklas Shikomba (1990-05-29) 29 May 1990 2 0 Life Fighters 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Wolfgang Kaapanda (1993-08-03) 3 August 1993 1 0 Young Brazilians 2023 COSAFA Cup
FW Elmo Kambindu (1993-05-26) 26 May 1993 28 9 Chippa United 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Isaskar Gurirab (1998-03-01) 1 March 1998 12 2 Blue Waters 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Junior Petrus (2000-06-17) 17 June 2000 4 0 Liria Prizren 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Erastus Kulula (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 0 0 Blue Waters 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE
FW Sem Ndeshipanda Ndahangwapo (2000-09-24) 24 September 2000 0 0 Blue Waters 2023 Africa Cup of Nations PRE

DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Player has retired from international football.
SUS Suspended from the national team.

Previous squads
Africa Cup of Nations squads

Player records
As of 27 January 2024[8]
Players in bold are still active with Namibia.
Most appearances
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Denzil Haoseb 83 0 2011–present
2 Petrus Shitembi 79 4 2011–present
3 Ronald Ketjijere 74 2 2010–2019
4 Deon Hotto 73 11 2013–present
5 Ananias Gebhardt 65 2 2011–present
6 Absalom Iimbondi 64 7 2015–present
7 Johannes Hindjou 63 10 1996–2005
8 Larry Horaeb 61 0 2011–present
9 Mohamed Ouseb 60 3 1994–2004
Willy Stephanus 60 3 2011–present
Top goalscorers
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Peter Shalulile 16 54 0.3 2014–present
2 Rudolph Bester 13 46 0.28 2004–2014
3 Gervatius Urikhob 11 40 0.28 1993–2003
Deon Hotto 11 73 0.15 2013–present
5 Johannes Hindjou 10 63 0.16 1996–2005
6 Elmo Kambindu 9 28 0.32 2019–present
Benson Shilongo 9 34 0.26 2011–2021
Eliphas Shivute 9 37 0.24 1993–2001
9 Hendrik Somaeb 8 31 0.28 2011–2019
Ruben van Wyk 8 33 0.24 1994–2002

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup record
FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1990 Part of  South Africa Part of  South Africa
1994 did not qualify 4 0 0 4 0 12
1998 8 2 2 4 9 18
2002 10 1 3 6 7 27
2006 2 0 1 1 1 4
2010 6 2 0 4 7 12
2014 8 3 2 3 10 4
2018 4 1 1 2 3 5
2022 8 3 2 3 9 11
2026 to be determined 4 2 2 0 6 1
2030 to be determined
2034
Total – 0/8 – – – – – – 54 14 13 27 52 94

Africa Cup of Nations record
Africa Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA

1957
to

1990		Part of  South Africa

1992
to

1994		 did not enter
1996 did not qualify

1998		 Group stage 14 3 0 1 2 7 11


2000		 did not qualify

2002

2004

2006

2008		 Group stage 10 3 0 1 2 2 7

2010		 did not qualify


2012

2013

2015

2017

2019		 Group stage 23rd 3 0 0 3 1 6

2021		 did not qualify

2023		 Round of 16 15th 4 1 1 2 1 7

2025		 to be determined



2027
Total Round of 16 4/36 13 1 3 9 11 31

African Nations Championship record
African Nations Championship record
Appearances: 2
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
2009did not qualify
2011
2014
2016
2018Quarter-finals7th421133
2020Group stage15th301204
2022did not enter
Total Quarter-finals 2/7 7 2 2 3 3 7

COSAFA Cup
Main article: COSAFA Cup

Head-to-head record against other nations

Updated on 9 June 2024 after match against  Tunisia[9]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

Opponent
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Algeria400407−7
 Angola15069925−16
 Benin210184+4
 Botswana2021171819−1
 Burkina Faso3003211−9
 Burundi411278–1
 Chad430174+3
 Cameroon411237−4
 Comoros531182+6
 Congo612339−6
 Djibouti220040+4
 DR Congo311174+3
 Egypt6015623−17
 Eritrea220041+3
 Ethiopia220042+2
 Gabon2020220
 Gambia4211550
 Ghana301202−2
 Guinea10127419−15
 Guinea-Bissau201101−1
 India100102−2
 Ivory Coast6213813−5
 Kenya640253+2
 Lebanon1010110
 Lesotho1245313130
 Liberia2131330
 Libya2101220
 Madagascar84131110+1
 Malawi168442116+5
 Mali813448−4
 Mauritius420254+1
 Morocco7016215−13
 Mozambique1910542514+11
 Niger310223−1
 Nigeria401318−7
 Rwanda403136−3
 São Tomé and Príncipe110020+2
 Saudi Arabia200213−2
 Senegal8107524−19
 Seychelles6330124+8
 South Africa141581027−17
 Eswatini9144810−2
 Tanzania402214−3
 Togo2101110
 Tunisia621338−5
 Zambia2221191127−16
 Zimbabwe1370625250
Total2917784130285403−118

Honours
COSAFA Cup

Notes
  1. Equatorial Guinea forfeited for fielding an ineligible player.[6] The original result was Equatorial Guinea 1–0 Namibia.

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  2. "Namibian football on the rise – ESPN FC". Soccernet.espn.go.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  3. "Namibia International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  4. "Senior Men (Brave Warriors)". nfa.org.na. Namibia Football Association. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  5. "Ketjijere aiming to go out with a bang". namibian.com.na. The Namibian. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  6. Dunbar, Graham (24 May 2024). "Equatorial Guinea must default wins in World Cup qualifying over same ineligible player as in 2013". apnews.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  7. "Final Squad". Facebook. Namibia Football Association – NFA.
  8. "Namibia". National Football Teams. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  9. "World Football Elo Ratings: Namibia". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
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