Namibia got off to a good start in the Confederation of University and College Sport Associations (CUCSA) Games that started in Windhoek on Sunday.
Namibia’s soccer team came from a goal down to beat Zimbabwe 3-1, while Namibia’s netball team thrashed Zimbabwe 88-15.
In other codes, Namibia’s basketball team narrowly lost to Angola 62-58, while Namibia’s men’s volleyball team beat Zimbabwe 3-1.
In the opening soccer match on Sunday evening, Namibian striker Panduleni Nekundi played a starring role as Namibia came from behind to beat Zimbabwe 3-1.
Namibia’s soccer team included numerous Premier League players like Lloyd Kazapua, Ricardo Tjiuoro, Ronald Ketjijere, Robert Nganjone and Pat Uanivi of African Stars; Simon Shikokola and Benji Ketjijere of Ramblers and Mervin Katire and Quinton Khuruseb of Black Africa, but it was SKW striker Panduleni “Kaka” Nekundi who stole the show with an impressive performance.
Nekundi got off to a poor start when he missed an early penalty that was saved by Zimbabwe’s keeper Michelle Sonono, and Zimbabwe capitalised on their good fortune to take the lead on 23 minutes after a counterattack by winger Abraham Mubaiwa.
Namibia however upped the tempo and equalised just before halftime when Nekundi controlled a high ball and volleyed it past Sonono into the net.
Namibia immediately attacked from the second half kickoff as Nekundi streaked into the penalty area to beat Shonono from close range.
Namibia’s attacks continued thick and fast and had their finishing been better they could well have scored at least five more goals.
In the end though they had to settle for one more when substitute Sindane Katali put a loose ball into the net with two minutes remaining.
In other soccer matches on Monday, Lesotho beat Zambia 2-0, while Zimbabwe suffered their second successive defeat when they lost 2-1 to Malawi.
Seven countries, namely Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Angola, Zambia and Lesotho are participating in eight sport codes in the CUCSA Games, namely soccer, netball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, chess and athletics.
The athletics events will start at the Independence Stadium on Wednesday morning, while the Games will be concluded on Thursday with the closing ceremony at the Unam Main Hall.