Windhoek
After days of speculation, Brave Warriors rangy striker Benson Shilongo was yesterday officially unveiled by South African premiership outfit Platinum Stars as one of their new signees for the upcoming season.
The highly-talented Namibian, who until the end of last season plied his trade with Gaborone United in the Botswana Premier League (BPL), is said to have signed a two-year contract that will now see him officially joining Dikwena, as Stars is known – after earlier being linked with a move to Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Shilongo was one of the shining stars for Brave Warriors during last year’s Cosafa Cup when Namibia won it and his breathtaking performance didn’t go unnoticed, as various PSL clubs showed their interest at the time, but he never received a contract offer and remained with United in Botswana until last season.
Breaking the news on his Facebook fan page, Shilongo posted: “Yes! I have signed a pre-contract with Platinum Stars FC… I’ll be playing my professional football in the South African elite league, the PSL going forward. I’m excited about the opportunity and looking forward to growing as a player.”
The 24-year-old started at Oshakati Citya and then Ramblers before joining Namibian league champions Tigers. He also played for Blackburn Rovers in the South African third tier before moving to Botswana to join United. Platinum Stars have of late also been rumoured to be after former Brave Warriors veteran striker Henrico Botes.
Still in the South African premiership, other news coming from that side is of attacking Brave Warriors midfielder Hendrik Somaeb, who is reported to have joined newly promoted Highlands Park. The move will see him being reunited with compatriot Peter Shalulile, who also plays for Highlands Park.
Somaeb, 23, was with Free State Stars last season, but the club decided against retaining him for the upcoming campaign thus making him a free agent. He looked full of energy whenever he turned out for Stars last season, where he was used as a super-sub, as well as starting games.
“Somaeb has already agreed terms with Highlands and will most likely be turning out for them in the new season. What has made his move easy is the fact that he is joining as a free agent after being released by Free State Stars,” a source told football magazine KickOff.com.
Highlands are also believed to be chasing another Namibian in the shape of Ronald Ketjijere, who has also reportedly caught the eye of talent scouts at Stars.