Maqonda Ndlovu
Namibian footballers plying their trade outside the borders are having an industrious time as they continue flying the country’s flag high in their respective leagues and competitions.
In South Africa, Brave Warriors captain Peter Shalulile is back in action and back in goal-scoring form, netting three times in two matches since his return to action following an injury.
He returned to action following a three-week injury against
Burundi side Bumamuru in a Confederation of African Football first-leg preliminary round Champions League match as a substitute in the 66th minute before finding the net 13 minutes later in a 4-0 away victory. Next up was the match against Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN semifinals last Saturday, where he scored the fastest goal – 13 seconds to be precise – to set up his side to victory.
He then followed it up with a calm header just before halftime, making the scoreline 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate) as Masandawana reached the final. They will face
the Soweto giants Orlando Pirates, who also progressed to the final through a Deon Hotto stoppage-time header against Stellenbosch
a week ago, proving vital for his side.
Another Brave Warriors player Elmo Kambindu is also in red-hot form in the Premier Soccer League, matching Shalulile’s statistics
pound for pound.
The gangly former Mighty Gunners striker has also scored three goals in two matches for Chippa United in the space of a week.
He got off the mark after scoring two goals against Richards Bay seven days ago in a 2-1 victory before finding the target on
Tuesday against SuperSport United, striking the only goal of the night in the 85th minute to help Chippa win 1-0. Tuesday’s result saw
Chippa climb into fourth on the
log.
Meanwhile, Riaan Hanamub continues to produce electrifying performances for Usuthu (AmaZulu) as he continues to be
linked with a move to Pirates.
However, his club has come out strongly against media reports, suggesting that the player is on his way to Orlando Stadium, and AmaZulu chairperson Sandile Zungu has rubbished the idea.
Hanamub has played the majority of AmaZulu games this season, chipping in with two assists while defending resolutely. In Kosovo, attacking midfielder Prince Tjiueza has found the target twice this season for his team,
Liria Prizren.
He is currently the joint club’s top goal scorer with his two goals, where he plays alongside another Namibian defender, Aprocius
‘Kalefa’ Petrus. He scored against Prishtina in a one-all draw and against Fenorinikeli in a 5-3
defeat.
Liria currently sits in eighth place with six points from six matches
and a negative two-goal deficit.
In England, Brave Warriors defender Ryan Nyambe played his first competitive match for Derby County, following his move on a short-term deal last week.
He made his debut against Carlisle United in a 2-0 away
victory last Saturday. This was Derby County’s first away victory, and it came with a clean sheet as Nyambe impressed at right back.
On international duty, star player Zenatha Coleman scored three goals in two matches against The Gambia as the Brave Gladiators progressed to the second round of the 2024 Africa Women’s
Qualifiers via a 5-2 scoreline.
She played alongside
Germany-based Veweziwa
Kotjipati and United States-based Millicent Hikuam.