Substitute Joslin Kamatuka six minutes after coming on as the Tafel Lager Brave Warriors lost 4-1 against Senegal in Thies, in their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday evening.
The two top sides of Group H met for the first time at the Lat-Dior Stadium in Thies with all to play and the Lions of Terenga took the lead on 10 minutes through Indrissa Guey and then made it 2-0 through Famara Diedhiou on 38 minutes. Halftime score 2-0.
Sadio Mane was not to be denied as he raced through the middle and got his goal on 55 minutes with a left shot that found the back of the net.
Captain Peter Shalulile came close for the Tafel Lager Bave Warriors, so did Elmo Kambindu, Deon Hotto, as well as Denzil Haoseb, but the very casual Edouard Mendy in the Senegal goal was lucky until the Kamatuka goal on 76 minutes.
Coach Bobby Samaria brought on Larry Haraeb and Willy Stephanus for Ivan Kamberipa and Absalom Iimbondi at the start of the second half while Joslin Kamatuka replaced Kambindu with 20 minutes to go.
Kamatuka got his goal six minutes later as he pounced on a loose ball in front of Mendy, tapping home to make it 3-1 on the night.
Senegal substitute Keita Balde made it 4-1 on 83 minutes after some fine play that released him to hit home.
The match could have ended differently had Namibia took their few chances as the margins indeed decided the outcome.
The two sides will meet again at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 12 October for another big match in Group H.
Senegal leads the group on nine points with Namibia still second on four points. Congo are on two and Togo on a point to complete the group after three games played by each team.
Tafel Lager Brave Warriors vs Senegal: Virgil Vries, Riaan Hanamub, Ivan Kamberipa, Gebhardt Ananias, Denzil Haoseb, Charles Hambira, Deon Hotto, Absalom Iimbondi, Wesley Katjiteo, Elmo Kambindu and Peter Shalulile.
Source: Namibia Football Association (NFA)