Staff Reporter
6 October 2008
Windhoek — Namibia's Under-20 football team pulled off a stunning 3-2 victory over South Africa's "Banyana Banyana" at the Khomasdal Stadium in Windhoek, on Saturday.
The visitors took the lead through Lucinda Bouwers, but the hosts equalized through a copybook strike by Angela Fredericks.
Two goals in quick succession by Juliana Skrywer and the talented Stella Williams early in the second half gave Namibia a 3-1 an unassailable lead before Daniella Clayford pulled one back for the visitors.
In the closing stages South Africa launched attack after attack but Namibia's defence stood firm and they held on for a well-deserved victory.
What made the victory all the more remarkable was the fact that Namibia's team consisted mostly of U20 players who are preparing for the SADC Zone 6 Youth Games in Potchefstroom, South Africa in December this year. The Namibian team only had four seniors in the team, with Queen Manga and Stella Williams in the starting 11 while and Salome Iyambo and Mangulukeni Hamata started off the bench.
Namibia looked dangerous in the opening stages with Juliana Skrywer and Emmerencia Fredericks troubling the visitors' defence with some darting runs. South Africa however took the lead against the run of play when Bouwers lobbed the ball over Bonita Eixas' head after a well-orchestrated counter counter-attack.
Namibia kept on attacking and SA defender Matlakala Magot saved a near certain goal when she tackled Fredericks in the box. Angela Fredericks substituted Rauchanda Platt in the 26th minute and immediately made her presence felt. She first shot narrowly wide after being put clear by Skrywer and then scored the equaliser after a great solo run down the right wing.
When South Africa's defence hesitated, their goalie came rushing out and Fredericks calmly shot into an empty net.
There was drama at the start of the second half when a free-kick by Stella Williams hit the South African crossbar, while Eixas pulled off two great saves from Nompumelelo Nyandeni and Daniella Clayford.
Namibia extended their slender lead through a great goal by Juliana Skrywer, who broke clear from a counter-attack and chipped the ball over South Africa's out-rushing keeper in the 50th minute.
Barely three minutes later, Namibia were 3-1 up when Stella Williams blasted in a 30m shot after a clearance from a corner.
South Africa stepped up the pressure and laid siege to Namibia's goal, but Namibia's defence, led by Manga and Rejoice Kasaona kept them at bay with some fearless tackling.
South African striker Daniella Clayford finally scored when she scrambled in a loose ball from a corner on 73 minutes.
Sussana Eises replaced Bonita Eixas in Namibia's goals and pulled off some great saves in the final stages as South Africa threw everything into attack.
In injury time she pulled off a great save from a shot by Noko Matlou and when the ball bounced clear in the penalty box, Kasoana made a great tackle on Clayford to once again deny the visitors.
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