Following their safe arrival Korhogo, Cote d’Ivoire, Namibia are gearing up to compete in their fourth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
The Brave Warriors will be led by their former player, Collin Benjamin who goes into the tournament as the youngest of all 24 head coaches present in Cote d’Ivoire.
Benjamin, who was born 45 years ago in Windhoek enjoyed a highly successful playing career in Germany representing, the likes of Hamburger SV and 1860 Munich where he eventually took up the tactics board as a coach.
The former defender, who represented the Brave Warriors 41 times and also captained the side worked as the team’s assistant coach between 2018 – 2022 before assuming the head coach role.
Speaking exclusively to CAFOnline from their base camp in Korhogo, Orlando Pirates utility player, Deon Hotto sang the praises of Benjamin, saying that he is bringing fresh ideas and energy to the team.
“He is one of the youngest and brightest coaches in the tournament. He played his whole career in Germany at the highest level and so he is sharing that experience with us. He is a very open coach. His door is always open for us. He is just a marvelous coach with new and fresh ideas and someone who is really great to work with”, said Hotto.
The Brave Warriors are drawn in an interesting Group E consisting of neighbors, South Africa, 2004 champions Tunisia as well as Mali, who are expected to enjoy the most support with the nation being on the border of Korhogo.
Namibia go into the tournament carrying the underdogs title, with all three of the previous appearances concluding in the group stages – something Benjamin and his Brave Warriors will be hoping to change in the Cote d’Ivoire edition this year.
