KORHOGO: Namibia’s senior national men’s football team had a disappointing match day two in the 2023 Ivory Coast Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, losing 0-4 against South Africa.

Their Group F match was played at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo.

South Africa, who were at the bottom of the group after losing their opening match 2-0 against Mali, wasted no time in finding their opening goal of the match. They found the net in the 12th minute through a penalty kick by Percy Tau, who converted the spot kick with ease.

Temba Zwane then doubled their score with a well-executed shot just 25 minutes into the game. Before the half-time break, Zwane scored his brace after intercepting a Deon Hotto pass and dazzling through the Namibian defence.

The score was 3-0 at halftime.

The Namibian team made two changes at halftime, replacing Petrus Shitembi and Peter Shalulie with Betuel Mazeu and Ngero Katua. With two changes, the Brave Warriors won a bit of possession, but they found it hard to get the ball on
target in the second half compared to the chances created in the first half.

South Africa once again caught them on a counter and added a fourth goal in the 75th minute through Thapelo Maseko.

Namibia, now in third place, is level on three points with second-placed South Africa. Mali leads the group with four points, while Tunisia is bottom with a single point.

In an interview with the media after the game, Brave Warriors coach Collin Benjamin admitted that his team did not have their best game, but said he remains positive about their chances of making it through to the next round.

‘We did create chances, which shows character and content. The way these guys played shows that they still have fighting spirit. With the right mindset, we can go back and fight for a spot in the round of 16,’ said Benjamin.

Namibia will play their last group game against Mali in San Pedro on 24 January 2024.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The South African delegation to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting has returned back to SA, having driven home the message that the country remains a “top destination for growth and investment’.

This is according to a media statement released by National Treasury on Monday.

Team South Africa’s delegation was led by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and comprised the Ministers of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel; Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande; Communications and Digital Technologies Mondli Gungubele, and Health, Dr Joe Phaahla.

Godongwana said the message to investors, civil society, businesses and governments is that despite the many challenges it faces, South Africa is making progress.

‘We took the opportunity of the WEF Davos gathering to remind our partners around the world that South Africa has made tremendous progress in the past 30 years since we achieved democracy.

‘Yes, we face a number of obstacles to achieving policy that balances fiscal s
ustainability, growth-accelerating reforms, and targeted spending on social services and infrastructure. However, we are forging ahead and making good progress,’ he said.

According to National Treasury, the annual meeting – held last week in Davos, Switzerland – offered an opportunity for South Africa to engage world leaders on a number of issues.

‘[It] offered South Africa’s policymakers a genuine and rare opportunity to speak directly with a cross spectrum of stakeholders in global affairs, exchanging views on how to weather the rise in geopolitical and economic tensions that are shaping today’s world.

‘Climate, technology, trade and multilateral cooperation were high on the agenda, as was South Africa’s upcoming presidency of the G20 in 2025.

‘In addition to its participation in the G20, the country is playing a key part in the expansion of the BRICS group, as well as the deepening of intercontinental economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area,’ the department said.

Source:
South African Government News Agency