STORIE LORRIE
A column featuring the hottest news in Namibian football, around players, coaches, teams and possible transfers.
Denzil Haoseb has reportedly found a new home in South Africa after being spotted in the clothing of Highlands Park, the team which formerly had DStv Premiership status. Highlands Park, who sold their spot in the 2020/21 season, are now trying to work their way back to elite football in South Africa and are campaigning in the ABC Motsepe League. It is probably being part of this project that attracted the Brave Warriors defensive midfielder, who last played for Polokwane City in South Africa’s GladAfrica Championship, to join Highlands Park. Highlands Park has had a number of Namibians on their books in recent years, with Peter Shalulile being the most famous of the bunch. Defender Chris Katjiukua also had a stint at the club, while Dynamo Fredericks was listed as being part of the team last season.
Teberius Lombard is set to stay in Zambia, with reports linking him with a move back to Lusaka Dynamos. The defender was deemed surplus to requirements at Zanaco but his first club in the Zambian Super League is likely to offer him a place. His compatriot Willy Stephanus is signed to the club and reported for duty after representing Namibia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Lombard was also part of the Brave Warriors squad and will hope that a move to Lusaka Dynamos will reignite his career.
Scouts have been hovering over young left back Aprocius ‘Kalefa’ Petrus after a solid display during Namibia’s Cosafa Cup campaign this year. Petrus played in all four of Namibia’s matches in the competition and hardly put a foot wrong in a position normally reserved for Riaan Hanamub, who didn’t feature during the regional cup competition. At 21 years of age, Petrus is said to be at the right age to make a move abroad, with teams in South Africa and Botswana said to be interested in testing the player by inviting him for trials.
Peter Shalulile has reportedly turned down a massive sponsorship deal with international sports brand Puma. Shalulile’s star has risen to astronomical levels over the last two years following his exploits in the DStv Premiership, where he ended among the top scorers for two consecutive seasons. The fact that the striker attracted the attention of a top brand like Puma is no surprise given that he has continued with his form this season, as he has already notched a few goals for Mamelodi Sundowns. Had he signed the Puma deal, Shalulile would have joined fellow South Africa-based star, Deon Hotto as a player associated with an international brand. Hotto has a deal with Adidas.
Under-20 international, Prins Tjiueza is said to have impressed during a trial in Turkey, although no concrete move is on the cards at present. The 19-year-old attacking player has already made his debut at senior level and was also part of Namibia’s Cosafa Cup squad this year. Tjiueza is highly rated after making his name at Under-17 national level, where he was top scorer at the 2018 Cosafa U-17 tournament. He has continued his development in the junior teams to now also be in the reckoning for Brave Warriors selection. Tjiueza was famously also named Man of the Match during Namibia’s participation in the Under-20 African Cup of Nations, which was staged in Mauritania in
January this year.
Zambian Super League outfit, Kansanshi Dynamos has officially parted ways with former national Under-20 striker Mapenzi Muwanei. The team won promotion to Zambia’s topflight league last season and has issued a list of all players they have released. Muwanei is part of 14 players released by the newly promoted team, which brings an end to the Namibian’s adventure in Zambia. The former Eleven Arrows and Tigers striker was announced as a signing in January this year, but has seemingly not done enough to earn an extended stay.