Namibia scored in the 88th minute to hand a surprise 1-0 loss to Tunisia in their AFCON 2023 opening Group E match at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo on Tuesday.
The Brave Warriors relied on Deon Hotto’s strike to deliver the biggest shock yet in the competition.
The tricky winger stole in at the back post to head in the winner in a game the Southern African nation fully deserved victory in their first AFCON match against Tunisia, the third highest ranked African nation in the competition.
Collin Benjamin’s side could have won by a wider goal margin but were denied by a combination of poor decisions, good saves from Tunisia goalkeeper, Bechir Ben Said, and the video assistant referee (VAR) that disallowed a second goal in added time.
The defeat continues Tunisia’s unwanted record of not winning their opening AFCON match at the last five editions.
Namibia, the lowest ranked nation in the group, will face neighbours and rivals South Africa while Tunisia will pick up the pieces against Mali.
Bertrand Traore scored deep into added time to lead Burkina Faso to a 1-0 win over Mauritania in the first match of the day.
RESULTS
Burkina Faso 1-0 Mauritania
Tunisia 0-1 Namibia