Shitembi, Iimbondi recalled for Brave Warriors

Brave Warriors coach Collin Benjamin recalled veteran midfielders Petrus Shitembi and Absalom Iimbondi to the national squad ahead of Afcon qualifiers against Cameroon in November. They are amongst a squad of 34 players that have been called up for the upcoming qualifiers in Cameroon on 12 November and the return leg four days late at a venue still to be confirmed. Shitembi and Iimbondi are amongst Namibia’s most capped players but neither has appeared for the Brave Warriors for close to three years now, with both last playing at the 2024 Afcon finals in the Ivory Coast where Namibia made history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time. Shitembi, who plays for Kuching United in the Malaysia Super League is Namibia’s third most experienced player with 83 national caps, while Iimbondi, who plays for Khomas Nampol, is eighth on the list with 67 caps.

They join an experienced and well-balanced squad, of 15 local and 19 foreign-based professionals, plying their trades in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, Sudan and Malaysia. In defence, Riaan ! Hanamub of Amazulu (62 caps) and Ivan Kamberipa of Gaborone United (52) are the most experienced, but players like Ngero Katua (Highbury FC), Sergio Damaseb and Sisqo Haraseb are building up their international resumes. Namibia’s most capped international, Deon Hotto of Orlando Pirates with 88 caps, leads the midfield which includes other experienced campaigners like Shitembi, Iimbondi, Aprocius Petrus, Wendell Rudath and Moses Shidolo. Some of the recent newcomers include Ngahape Kasaona of Blue Waters, Michael Jonas of Khomas Nampol and Johannes Shijave of Eeshoke Chula Chula. Peter Shalulile, Namibia’s joint fifth-most capped player with 69 caps, leads the attack that includes Bethuel Muzeu of Sekhukhune…