Namibia had already been dismissed as the no-hopers of the 2008 African Nations Cup.
Just qualifying stunned African football followers who confidently predicted that traditionally strong Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and emerging force Libya would slug it out for Group 10 honours.
Come the final round of eliminators last September, the DRC needed a home win against Libya in the intimidating cauldron of Kinshasa to maintain a long run of Nations Cup appearances.
Even the 1-1 draw the Congolese achieved would have been enough had the Brave Warriors from South-West Africa not come from behind twice in grab a thrilling 3-2 victory in Ethiopia.
Rudolph Bester levelled nine minutes from full-time with his second goal and previously unknown Muna Katupose became an instant hero by scoring the winner in the final minute.
A rare away triumph for Namibia lifted them to 10 points, one more than the DRC and two ahead of Libya in the biggest upset of the 12-pool qualifying competition.
Namibia, one of the largest countries on the continent but with a population of just two million, have reached the biennial tournament for only the second time.
In Burkina Faso 10 years ago, Namibia may have collected just one point from a draw with northern neighbours Angola, but won many friends by wiping out a 3-0 deficit against Côte d’Ivoire before losing a seven-goal thriller.
They also took a 4-1 hammering from South Africa and midfielder Robert Nauseb, sole survivor from the class of 1998, wishes they were facing Bafana Bafana again rather than hosts Ghana, Guinea and Morocco.
”How I wish we had a chance to avenge what Bafana did to us. Our Group A rivals are good, but I hope we make the quarterfinals at least to prove Namibian football has progressed,” said the South Africa-based veteran.
It would be a sensation were the Warriors to advance, though, given chaotic preparations with ailing Zambian Ben Bamfuchile forced to quit as coach less than two months before the tournament.
Bamfuchile later died, leaving Dutch coach Arie Schans in charge and while friendly losses to Morocco (0-2), Saudi Arabia (0-1) and Tunisia (0-2) signal a lack of strike power, the results suggest the Warriors are truly brave. – Sapa-AFP