Head coach Collin Benjamin has named a provisional 34-man squad for the two 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Cameroon. Among them are striker Peter Shalulile (Young Africans FC) and midfielder Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates).
Namibia now know the group that will prepare for the double header against Cameroon on 12 and 16 November in the 2027 AFCON PAMOJA qualifiers. Collin Benjamin, head coach of the Brave Warriors, made the provisional list public, according to Namibian Sun and zone.my.na.
Among the names selected are striker Peter Shalulile (Young Africans FC), midfielder Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates) and striker Betuel Muzeu (Sekhukhune FC). This expanded group will first travel to the Indomitable Lions before meeting Cameroon again in Gaborone, Botswana.
A defeat that left its mark
The announcement of the squad follows Namibia’s 6-0 defeat to Russia in a friendly at the Ekaterinburg Arena earlier this month. A setback that has left its mark, as the head coach told zone.my.na: “Emotionally, yes, we lost that match 6-0. It doesn’t sit well, it doesn’t feel good. We had sleepless nights, especially when you look at the way we conceded the goals.”
Benjamin also set the tone for his group: “We need to get stronger. We need to get tactically better. We need to work.” That message accompanies the release of the provisional squad.
Three points after two matchdays
In Group G, Namibia have three points from their first two matches. The Brave Warriors opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Congo in Gaborone, thanks to a goal from Betuel Muzeu, before losing 1-0 to the Comoros in Moroni.
Cameroon, for their part, began their campaign with a 3-1 win over the Comoros.
Two fixtures in November
The first fixture is set for 12 November, away to Cameroon. Four days later, on 16 November, Namibia will face the Indomitable Lions again in Gaborone, Botswana. It was in that same city that the Brave Warriors played their opening match against Congo.
The list remains provisional. Besides Shalulile, Hotto and Muzeu, it includes Aproccius Petrus, Moses Shidolo, Prins Tijueza, Petrus Shitembi, Ivan Kamberipa, Kennedy Eib and Welwin Hanamub.