Hatrick hero Shalulile inspires Brave Warriors

Football
A hatrick from Peter Shalulile proved enough for Brave Warriors to beat São Tomé and Principe in Botswana yesterday.
  • 7 Hours Ago
The Brave Warriors started the first half on the front foot, dominating both possession and attacks.

The visitors were forced into an early change when Kelve Semedo was replaced by Ricardo Gué Cardoso after just 13 minutes.

One of Namibia’s best chances of the half came when Approcious Petrus rose to meet a Deon Hotto delivery, but his header went narrowly wide.

The home side’s persistence eventually paid off less than five minutes before the interval. Skipper Peter Shalulile broke the deadlock in the 41st minute of the first half, latching onto a through ball and finishing with precision.

Namibia also enjoyed the lion’s share of corners and attacking play. Wingers Deon Hotto and Rian Hanamub proved a constant handful for São Tomé and Príncipe.

The Brave Warriors went into the break 1-0 up and looking comfortable on the ball.

Half-time statistics

Namibia had 55% of the possession at the interval, with three shots on target and seven off target. The visitors managed two shots on target and one off target. Namibia also dominated from the corner flag, winning eight corners to São Tomé and Príncipe’s two.

Second half

Namibia began the second half as they ended the first, continuing to control possession. The visitors, however, started to grow in confidence and created a few chances of their own.

Hotto and Shalulile combined well in the 56th minute, but Hotto’s shot sailed over the bar. Two minutes later Shalulile slipped a pass to Hotto, who found himself unmarked, but the goalkeeper was quick off his line to avert the danger.

Hanamub delivered another fine cross on the hour mark, which Shalulile missed by a whisker. Namibia kept pushing for a second goal, attacking down the right through Ivan Kamberipa’s deliveries.

Their pressure finally told in the 67th minute when Shalulile connected with a Hanamub cross to double the lead. Four minutes later Shalulile underlined his reputation as one of Africa’s top strikers with an outstanding volley to make it 3-0, following another pinpoint delivery from Hotto on the right.

Group standings

The win moved Namibia to 15 points, three clear of third-placed Liberia and seven behind Group H leaders Tunisia. Tunisia extended their lead with a 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea on Monday.

Elsewhere in the group, Liberia and Malawi played out a 2-2 draw. Malawi are currently fourth on 10 points, level with Equatorial Guinea, while São Tomé and Príncipe remain rooted to the bottom, still searching for their first win.

As things stand, Namibia still have a chance of qualifying for the final World Cup play-offs, provided they secure the necessary points in their remaining three matches.