Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire – The air crackles with anticipation in the Namibia camp as Peter Shalulile and Riaan Hanamub are on the cusp of making history ahead of Sunday’s showdown against Bafana Bafana.
The Brave Warriors wrote a new piece of history on Tuesday when they picked a well-deserved first win at the AFCON finals. They got off to a good start in Group E of the AFCON when they edged Tunisia 1-0 on Tuesday, putting themselves on course to progress to the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in history.
Mamelodi Sundowns star striker Shalulile and AmaZulu FC left-back Hanamub will be searching for a victory after a disappointing 2-0 loss on Tuesday against Mali.
The two sides clash on Sunday at 10pm at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo. It is a crucial tie for both Southerners as it would spell the end of the tournament if Bafana lose, while it guarantees passage to the knockout stage for the Namibians.
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“You know Bafana is a good team,” Shalulile said. “They have good players, we all know, but for us, like I said, we take game by game, and all we promise ourselves is to pitch up and give our best.”
Despite the fact that Shalulile plays with the 10 Mamelodi Sundowns players in the Bafana squad, he insists there are no guarantees in football.
“You’re not guaranteed a win even though you know and play with some guys. The national team is something else. Come Sunday, you never know what type of game we bring.”
The DStv Premiership top scorer acknowledged the pressure but emphasised Namibia’s unwavering belief in their own abilities.
“We can bring our A Game plus or our A Game. You never know. We’re hoping for a result always, we’re just hoping to try and make it out of the group stages.”
Hanamub echoed Shalulile’s sentiments, highlighting the team’s unwavering focus. “We’re happy about getting our first win,” Hanamub said. “It won’t be the last because we came here to compete and showcase our talent.
“I think we should be mentally ready because South Africa is a good team. We are aware of their strengths, so that’s why we need to keep our heads on our shoulders and not get carried away by this win. We need to work hard in training. I think we’ll give them a run for their money.”
The left-back, known for his tactical nous, emphasised the importance of teamwork. The Namibia versus South Africa clash promises to be a spectacle, a battle played out on the Korhogo stage.
With Shalulile and Hanamub leading the charge, the Brave Warriors are ready to unleash their roar and upset Bafana.
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