Hotto: We Believe In Benjamin
Namibia’s goalscoring hero in that historic win over former AFCON champions Tunisia, Deon Hotto has come out in full support of the team’s local coach. The Brave Warriors notched up their first ever win at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, thanks to Hotto’s late far post header.
“On Muzeu, I knew what he was going to do. He did what we trained. I knew he was going to cross it to the far post. We knew Tunisia like to push their fullbacks up. I read him and yah, we are grateful,” Hotto said about the goal that delivered victory.
It was a sweet victory for Namibia coach, Collin Benjamin who has the tag of being the youngest coach at AFCON 2023. Namibia’s belief in local coaches may have started to reap rewards.
“We always have a local coach, from Manetti to coach Benjamin. We believe in him and we trust him,” explained Hotto.
Benjamin played most of his professional football in Germany while playing in the Namibia national team. He was the national team assistant coach before taking full charge in 2022. The 45-year-old coach made 146 appearances for Hamburger SV in the German Bundesliga.
“He’s trying to bring all that experience of playing in the Bundesliga to us,” noted Hotto.
Hotto and his national teammates will now face a wounded Bafana Bafana who lost to group favourites Mali. A win against their neighbours will see Namibia write more history at the 2023 Africa of Nations.
