The “Harambee Sambas” of Kenya saw their dreams of a continental debut dashed on Wednesday evening as a clinical Namibia side staged a stunning second-half comeback to win 10-6 at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.
The victory ensures the “Brave Five” progress to the next round of the 2026 CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers with a commanding 18-11 aggregate score, following their 8-4 win in Windhoek last week.
A Tale of Two Halves
Boosted by a vocal home crowd, Kenya started with blistering intensity. The hosts looked set for a historic turnaround, heading into the halftime break with a 5-3 lead. For a moment, it seemed the deficit from the first leg was within reach as Kenya’s tactical aggression paid dividends. However, the second half belonged entirely to the visitors.
Namibia, benefiting from the tactical discipline of their world-class coaching staff, ruthlessly exploited gaps in the Kenyan defense. They pumped in seven goals in the final period, silencing the arena and ending any hopes of a Kenyan miracle.
The difference-maker for Namibia appeared to be their bench. Head coach Marcos Antunes, who previously led Angola to a silver medal and has featured in two FIFA Futsal World Cups, showcased why he is one of the most respected tacticians on the continent. Under his guidance, Namibia displayed superior stamina and composure, qualities that allowed them to outlast the youthful Kenyan squad.
While Kenya exits the competition with valuable lessons, Namibia moves one step closer to the main tournament in Morocco.
They will now face the powerhouse Libya in the second and final qualifying round.
