Peter Shalulile regains form just in time for Kenya-Namibia clash, should Harambee Stars be worried?

Peter Shalulile regains form just in time for Kenya-Namibia clash, should Harambee Stars be worried?

Joel Omotto 14:27 - 03.11.2024

Namibia striker Peter Shalulile is now banging in goals freely for his South African club which should be a worry for Harambee Stars ahead of their must-win clash this month.

Harambee Stars’ chances of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) depend on winning their two remaining matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia but could the latter spoil their party.

Kenya need to beat both Zimbabwe and Namibia, while hoping that the Warriors do not get maximum points against Cameroon, but the form of striker Peter Shalulile should worry coach Engin Firat.

The Namibian forward has hit great form just at the right time ahead of their match against Kenya on November 19, having scored four goals in the last five games, for his South African club Mamelodi Sundowns.

Worryingly for Kenya, he has banged in three in the last two matches, having bagged a double when Sundowns beat Cape Town City 3-0 on Wednesday, before adding another one as the Brazilians thrashed Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 in a cup game on Saturday.

Namibia are already out of the running for AFCON 2025 qualification after losing all their four games but will play a crucial role in deciding who joins Cameroon in the trip to Morocco next year from Group J.

With their talisman, who had last scored in May, finding form and the end of October, he will face Kenya high on confidence, giving Harambee Stars plenty of problems in a match they must win.

Shalulile was part of the team that lost to Kenya in September but he was low on confidence, struggling to make an impact, but has now found back his mojo with his team also trying to ensure the environment is right for him to flourish.

“The least that we did as coaches was not to lose faith in him but we always try and play him in some matches, even where we are playing three opponents, we try to play him to break this curse and fortunately he managed to go through,” said his Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi on Saturday.

With their talisman regaining his scoring touch, Namibia will face Kenya in a more confident mood and even with only pride to play for, it could prove costly for Harambee Stars if he is not watched well.