Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Brave Warriors head coach, Collin Benjamin is set to announce a preliminary squad of 40 players for the upcoming World Cup qualifying games in March.
Isack Hamata, spokesperson of the Namibia Football Association, confirmed that the senior national team coach could make the announcement on Wednesday or Thursday.
Captain Peter Shalulile and Deon Hotto are among the key players expected to be named in the squad. Shalulile, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns in the South African Betway Premiership, has scored five league goals this season.
His team currently leads the standings with 48 points from 18 games.
Hotto, who plays for Orlando Pirates, has scored three league goals this season despite primarily playing as a left-winger and occasionally as a left-back.
His team is in second place with 36 points from 15 games.
The duo’s club form is expected to boost the national team as Namibia aims to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in history.
The Brave Warriors will face Malawi on 17 March and Equatorial Guinea on 24 March.
Namibia is currently second in Group H with eight points, two points behind group leaders Tunisia, who have 10 points.
Liberia is third with seven points, Malawi fourth with six points, Equatorial Guinea fifth with three points, and Sao Tome and Principe last with no points.
The top team in the group will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
