Windhoek, Namibia — the stage is set for Namibia’s national futsal team as they gear up to participate in the 2024 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The draw, expected to take place in the last week of December 2023, will determine the opponents Namibia will face in their quest for a spot in the prestigious tournament.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed that Namibia will be drawn against formidable opponents, namely Zambia, Mozambique, and Tanzania in the qualifiers. The 2024 Futsal Africa Cup of Nations marks the eighth edition of the quadrennial championship organized by CAF for men’s national teams in Africa.
Mozambique, the original host for the competition, has withdrawn from hosting duties. The exact date and time of the drawing of lots to determine the schedule for these qualifiers will be communicated shortly.
Namibia, having made significant strides in futsal development, will enter the qualifiers with newfound enthusiasm. The country witnessed the inception of the Namibia Futsal League in 2021, a league brought to life by Absai Simon and Andrei Tirtirau in collaboration with Stefnie Jansen. The league’s inaugural season, sponsored by Express Credit, saw the participation of 30 teams.
Building on this momentum, Andrei Tirtirau took a monumental step in 2023 by establishing Futsal Namibia, which secured official affiliation with the Namibia Football Association (NFA). Tirtirau emphasized the significance of this affiliation, stating that it unlocks numerous opportunities for Futsal Namibia to participate in international competitions.
Recently Tirtirau has outlined their plans to expand the futsal league to all regions of Namibia. Despite facing challenges in securing suitable venues outside Windhoek, he expressed optimism, saying, “Due to infrastructure issues and NFA affiliation, it was quite difficult for us to move out of Windhoek. We are actively exploring opportunities to join forces with others, with sights set on playing at the prestigious Dome in Swakopmund and the Municipal Hall in Walvis Bay.”
Namibia enters the qualifiers with the defending champions, Morocco, leading the pack. The top three teams from the tournament will secure a coveted spot in the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan, representing the Confederation of African Football on the global stage.
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