Namibia clinches historic victory over Tunisia

Namibia made history by stunning Tunisia to record their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations win.

Deon Hotto popped up with an 89th-minute header from close range in Monday’s entertaining Group E opener for the impressive Brave Warriors, who continued a theme of upsets during the initial stages of the latest AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast.

It follows Cape Verde’s stunning last-gasp victory over Ghana on Sunday, with seven-time winners Egypt also having needed a late penalty to avoid a shock loss to Mozambique.

Nigeria and Algeria were also held by Equatorial Guinea and Angola respectively in their opening matches as the bigger nations continue to struggle early on.

Hotto scored a second goal in stoppage time for Namibia at Korhogo’s Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, but that was rightly ruled out for offside.

The Orlando Pirates star was a thorn in Tunisia’s side all evening, working in tandem with Namibia’s captain and record scorer Peter Shalulile.

Namibia boss Collin Benjamin also had goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua to thank for a string of five saves to keep Tunisia at bay and help condemn the Eagles of Carthage to a shock opening defeat that leaves them with plenty of work to do in a group that also contains Mali and returning South Africa.