Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, the all-rounder who picked up the wicket and scored a decisive 42 against the Netherlands, expressed confidence in his team’s ability. “We’re not just here to fill the tournament. Anything can happen and we just have to believe we can beat the bigger nations and compete with them,” Loftie-Eaton said.
Namibia produced performances to support these claims. In their first appearance of 2021, they progressed from the first round to the Super 12 stage and recorded their first ever victory against a full member nation when they defeated Ireland.
In the next edition in 2022, they defeated Sri Lanka in the first round but failed to progress further.
Recently, the Eagles defeated South Africa by four wickets in a one-off T20 international in October 2025.
Loftie-Eaton was part of all these moments and contributed significantly to the rise of Namibian cricket. He believes the gap between the top-ranked teams and the associated countries is narrowing.
“We’re smaller nations compared to the bigger nations, so I think the gaps are closing in the last few years. We’re getting more attention against the top teams. Every other year you play in the World Cup and you’re going up against the best in the world. Cricket Namibia has done an amazing job in giving us opportunities to play in South Africa. So the gap is finally closing, especially in Zimbabwe and the 5 T2s are still closing. format but progress is evident,” said Loftie-Eaton.