Namibia is set to host South Africa for a groundbreaking first encounter in an international cricket match to celebrate the inauguration of a new stadium in Windhoek. Scheduled for 11 October, the one-off T20I will mark the official opening of Cricket Namibia’s first dedicated stadium. Historically, international matches were held at the Wanderers club ground in Windhoek.
The new venue, with a capacity of 7,000, is not only a pivotal development for Namibian cricket but also a significant investment in the sport’s future, as it will serve as a high-performance centre. It will play a crucial role in the 2026 Under-19 Men’s World Cup, co-hosted with Zimbabwe, and the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup alongside Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Cricket Namibia CEO Johann Muller expressed his excitement, stating, “This truly is a memorable occasion. The new ground has been a dream for the last four years and has finally materialised. A match against our neighbours, and one of the top cricketing countries in the world, is the perfect way to open this world-class facility.”
Despite the geographical proximity, this will be the first international fixture between South Africa and Namibia, reflecting the growing cooperation in African cricket. Discussions are ongoing to increase the number of continental fixtures and promote the game’s expansion. Later this year, South Africa is also scheduled to visit Zimbabwe for two Test matches and a T20I tri-series.
Pholesti Moseki, CEO of Cricket South Africa, expressed their honour in participating, stating, “Namibia are a competitive side, and this fixture reflects the growing strength of cricket on the continent.”
As the match approaches, Namibia will also be competing in the Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, hoping to secure one of the two available spots for the following year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Having participated in the last three T20 World Cups, Namibia’s notable victory against Sri Lanka in Geelong in 2022 stands out as a highlight.
The forthcoming fixture represents a significant milestone and promises to be a memorable event for cricket supporters across the continent.
