It is worth noting that despite the fact that the two nations share a border with South Africa and have many citizens in the country, the match will be played behind closed doors at Namibia's request.

After making their best ever run at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire, reaching the last 16 before being knocked out by Angola earlier this year, Namibia's participation in the next edition is in serious doubt unless they can turn their form around.

Two rounds into qualifying, the Brave Warriors sit bottom of Group J and are currently one of just seven of the 36 participating nations yet to earn their first point of the competition.

Collin Benjamin's side opened their 2025 AFCON campaign with a 1-0 away defeat to Cameroon, before suffering a come-from-behind loss to Kenya at the same venue in round two early last month.

As a result, the Brave Warriors must avoid defeat in all their remaining games in this section if they are to have any chance of qualifying, and history suggests they can start with a win here, having beaten this opponent in six successive meetings.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have had an uneven return to international football since being banned by FIFA last year and will be looking to avoid a fourth successive outing without a win.

The Warriors' winless run includes a 2-0 defeat to Kenya at last year's COSAFA Cup and two goalless draws, first against Harambee Stars and then Cameroon, in the first two rounds of this competition.

Undoubtedly, the key area that Nees will have to address is his side's lack of attacking prowess, as they have yet to score a goal since his arrival and have found the back of the net just twice in four rounds of 2026 World Cup qualifying.

However, the new Warriors boss will have one major advantage over the next two rounds of the competition in that he has 10 players in his squad who have either played or are currently playing in the South African PSL.

Namibia have also called up several players currently in South Africa for this month's qualifiers, including Orlando Pirates midfielder Deon Hotto, Sekhukhune United goalkeeper Lloydt Kazapua and Amazulu defender Riaan Hanamub.

Marumo Gallants striker Rewaldo Prins, who was previously left out of the squad due to fitness concerns, has been called up alongside potential debutants Petrus Kamati and Tjahikika Mbakondja.

For Zimbabwe, skipper Marvelous Nakamba has returned to the national squad for this month's qualifiers after recovering from a knee injury and subsequent surgery that sidelined him for over six months.

PSL fans will welcome a familiar face back to South Africa this week in Khama Billiat, who returned from international retirement last month, while Polokwane City forward Douglas Mapfumo has been dropped.

Namibia possible starting lineup:

Maova; Katua, Hambira, Hanamub, Kamberipa; Petrus, Hotto, Tjiueza, Shidolo; Shalulile, Prins

Zimbabwe possible starting lineup:

Arubi; Galloway, Garananga, Hadebe, Zemura; Munetsi, Nakamba, Rinomhota, Musona; Billiat; Kadewere

Prediction:Namibia 1-1 Zimbabwe

Namibia VS Zimbabwe stream and TV listing

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