Shalulile back in frame for Namibia

Peter Shalulile is back in the Namibia squad after missing last month’s opening two World Cup qualifiers with the Mamelodi Sundowns goal ace named in a 34-man preliminary squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast.

Shalulile was allegedly injured for the two qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome e Principe although played for his club the week before and the week after the two internationals.

He is one of nine South African-based players picked by coach Collin Benjamin ahead of the tournament, which kick off on January 13.

Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu), Lubeni Haukongo (Cape Town Spurs), Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates) and the Chippa United goalkeeper Loydt Kazapua are the others from the DStv Premiership while Ananias Gebhardt (Baroka), Joslin Kamatuka (Maritzburg United), Edward Maova (Pretoria Callies) and Bethuel Muzeu (Black Leopards) play in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Home based players began training this week ahead of the finals and will be joined by the foreign-based players after the New Year. Benjamin must reduce the squad by seven players by January 3.

Namibia compete in Group E at the Cup of Nations finals, playing Tunisia first in Korhogo on January 16, then Bafana Bafana on January 21 and finally Mali on January 24.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Ndisiro Kamainjanda (African Stars), Loydt Kazapua (Chippa United, South Africa), Edward Maova (Pretoria Callies, South Africa), Jonas Mateus (Ongos Valley)

Defenders: Kennedy Amutenya (Gaborone United, Botswana), Ananias Gebhardt (Baroka, South Africa), Charles Hambira (African Stars), Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu, South Africa), Denzel Haoseb (Khomas Nampol), Lubeni Haukongo (Cape Town Spurs), Erasmus Ikeinge (Nampol FC), Ivan Kamberipa (Orapa United, Botswana), Ryan Nyambe (Derby County, England), Aprocius Petrus (Liria Prizren, Kosovo)

Midfielders: Simon Elago (Ongos Valley), Joslin Kamatuka (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Uetuuru Kambato (African Stars), Romeo Kasume (Matabele, Botswana), Ngero Katua (UNAM), Alfeus Leevi (Chula Chula), Marcel Papama, Wendell Rudath (both Jwaneng Galaxy, Botswana), Petrus Shitembi (Kuching City, Malaysia), Devin Somseb (Tigers FC), Prins Tjiueza (Liria Prizren, Kosovo)

Forwards: Steven Damaseb (Blue Waters), Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Absalom Iimbondi (Khomas Nampol), Edmar Kamatuka (African Stars), Erastus Kulula (Blue Waters), Bethuel Muzeu (Black Leopards, South Africa), Sam Ndahangwapo (Blue Waters), Junior Petrus (Liria Prizren, Kosovo), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa).