The Zimbabwe senior men’s football team, the Warriors, surrendered a nine-year unbeaten record in African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying when losing 1-0 to Namibia in Windhoek Sunday.

Since debuting in qualifiers for the biennial competition, Zimbabwe had won 11 matches and drawn five with their first victims being Namibia.

But the four-time competitors in the finals now face a fight for survival at the National Sports Stadium in Harare next Sunday against rivals who have never played at the 16-nation tournament.

The opening half produced very little in terms of goalmouth action with both countries squandering possession in the final third.

The only goal of the match came five minutes into the second half when Hendrik Somaeb found the back of the net for Namibia, 1-0.

The warriors tried to get back into the game after going behind, but the home team defended solidly to hold onto their slight advantage going into the second leg.

The second leg will take place next week in Harare on July 23 with Zimbabwe having to score at least a goal to stand any chance of reaching CHAN 2018 in Kenya.