Last men standing in CAF Interclub competitions

The preliminary stages of CAF’s inter-club competitions has concluded, leaving Namibian football hopes resting squarely on the shoulders of just two men, Mamelodi Sundown’s Peter Shalulile and Al Hilal’s Aprocius Petrus.

While a stronger Namibian contingent began the continental campaign in both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, the dust has settled to reveal these two as the last men standing.

Shalulile was a crucial factor in Sundowns’ progression to the Champions League group stages. He demonstrated his usual clinical form, scoring in both the home and away legs of the second preliminary fixture against Nigeria’s Remo Stars to ensure a 7-1 aggregate victory.

Meanwhile, defender Aprocius Petrus also booked his spot in the Champions League groups, with his Sudanese club, Al Hilal after successfully navigating their own tough qualifying journey.

The journey ended much sooner for some of their compatriots. In the Champions League, the Namibian Premier Football League champions African Stars fell at the first hurdle, just as the league runners-up Young African did in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Several other Namibian players plying their trade abroad also saw their continental campaigns come to an end. This list includes defender Ivan Kamberipa (Gaborone United) and midfielder Dynamo Fredericks (Jwaneng Galaxy), who were eliminated from the Champions League.

Adding to the exits is veteran winger, Deon Hotto, whose Orlando Pirates side is no longer participating in the CAF inter-club competitions this season, having also been knocked out of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Football pundit, Isack Hamata said that all the individual players were all ambassadors for Namibia in the CAF inter-club competitions.

“Pity only two are now in the group stage, but the others did not disappoint with their performance. Overall, Shalulile and Petrus should continue to be our ambassadors.

Their performance automatically directs the eyes of the world to Namibia. Their dedication and passion should be an inspiration to home-based players,” added Hamata.

All focus now shifts to the upcoming group stage draw, scheduled for, 3 November in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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