Namibian footballer Peter Shalulile has become a beacon of pride for his family and Namibia.
His mother, Menetie Shalulile, expressed overwhelming joy as she reflected on her son’s extraordinary achievements in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Speaking from Outapi, she shared her deep pride in her son’s journey to becoming
one of the most successful footballers in the region.
On Tuesday evening, Shalulile made history by becoming only the second player to score 100 goals for one club in the PSL when his side Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Amazulu.
This is a remarkable feat that no other Namibian has achieved. His accomplishment
puts him in an elite class alongside club legend Daniel ‘Mambush’ Mudau.
While there is some debate about the exact number of Mudau’s goals, with reports suggesting that he scored between 110 and 155 goals during his illustrious career at Sundowns, one thing remains clear: Shalulile is on the cusp of breaking even more records.
Not even celebrated figures like Khama Billiat, Themba Zwane or Percy Tau have managed to achieve the same level of consistency and success for that club in the league.
On top of this impressive club milestone, Shalulile is just two goals away from equalling the South African Premier League’s all-time top scorer Siyabonga Nomvethe’s record of 129 goals.
“I am very proud of him. I heard about the record, and he’s doing what he loves and benefiting from it. He started playing football in the streets of Golgotha (Katutura) and in Grade 10, he decided to quit school to play football.
I tried to force him back into school, but he refused. He joined Tura Magic, and then started travelling to South Africa. I realised this is what he wanted to do. Parents should not stop their children from playing sports, as not all are good academically,” she reflected.
Shalulile’s sister Hilya watched his journey closely, and shared that his zest and passion for football have been evident since his youth. “From the very beginning, he showed an unwavering determination to follow his dreams. He knew, without a doubt, that football was his calling. It was all he ate, dreamt and spoke about, day in and day out,” she said.
“Interestingly, Peter didn’t always focus solely on football. He initially played hockey in school before making the transition to football. Once he chose football, there was no turning back. I remember one particular moment in the TV room when the Brave Warriors were playing. Peter was still in primary school then. He looked at my mum and boldly declared, ‘One day, I’ll play for the national team. Just wait and see.’ And here we are today,” she recounted proudly.
“We are incredibly proud of him. His consistency, discipline, hard work, humility and most importantly his faith and devotion to Christ have been the pillars of his journey. It is Christ, along with countless prayers from family and friends, who has led him to become the remarkable person he is today,” Hilya added.
His friend, Diego Lungameni Shikemeni, grew up just two houses away from him. He shared that the star striker’s rise to prominence has been fuelled by hard work and a relentless belief in himself. “He always sends me Bible verses, and speaks faith into me. It wasn’t easy for him, there were struggles, and there were times he lost his form, but he worked hard. After the match on Tuesday, we spoke, and he was elated. But most importantly, he always attributes his success to God. He doesn’t only play football; I even had to force him into commercial farming,” Shikemeni noted.
Former Sundowns player and coach Ronny Kanalelo, who played for the club from 1997 to 2005, believes the Warriors’ captain’s incredible goalscoring feats are no accident. “If Shalulile didn’t have what it takes, how is he getting close to the target? It’s clear that he will break the records,” he said.
Football pundit Kavii Zemburuka stated that Shalulile’s 100th goal cements his status as one of that club’s greatest strikers. “With his hunger for goals, he could surpass Mudau’s club record (155 goals) if he remains for two or three more sessions there. He is also just two goals away from Nomvethe’s PSL all-time record, a feat he could achieve this season.
However, his future at Sundowns remains uncertain, as his contract ends in June. For Namibia, this milestone is huge, as it inspires young players, boosts the country’s football reputation, and strengthens the Brave Warriors,” added Zemburuka.
Currently, Sundowns is leading the South African Premier League table with 18 points, ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates. The following are Shalulile’s goal statistics in recent seasons:
Goals in seasons:
2024/25 – 10 goals
2023/24 – 15 goals
2022/23 – 23 goals
2021/22 – 30 goals
2020/21 – 22 goals
Goals in each competition:
Premiership – 65 goals
CAF Champions League – 17 goals
MTN 8 – 4 goals
Nedbank Cup – 11 goals