‘Shalulile’s a rare breed’ – Sundowns coach

‘Shalulile’s a rare breed’ – Sundowns coach Limba Mupetami



WINDHOEK

The DSTV Premiership has been nothing but spectacular so far, with Namibian international Peter Shalulile already having scored four goals and sitting in seventh on the top goal scorers list.

The former Highlands Park striker was last season joint top goal scorer with Orlando Pirates’ Gabadinho Mhango, netting 16 goals each, a feat the Namibian wants to repeat this season.

But he has stiff competition from the likes of SuperSport United’s Bradley Grobler, who is currently leading the charts with seven points.

He is followed by Sundowns’ Themba Zwane (seven) and Luvuyo Memela of AmaZulu (six), while Ruzaigh Gamildien of Swallows and Cape Town City’s Mduduzi Mdantsane have five goals each in the fourth and fifth places.

Like Shalulile, Richard Mbulu of Baroka has four goals and is in the sixth spot. Nduduzo Sibiya of Golden Arrows, Eva Nga of Chippa United and Lehlohonolo Majoro of AmaZulu follow in eighth, ninth and the 10th place, with three goals each.

Upcoming matches

The Namibian can expect to increase his tally as his side faces Jwaneng Galaxy today in the Caf Championship League first round, and Baroka on Saturday in the league.

Currently, Sundowns leads the log with 21 points, while Moroka Swallows is in second with 18 points, followed by SuperSport United (15), Cape Town City (15) and Orlando Pirates (13).

Shalulile’s hard work has not gone unnoticed.

According to citizen.com.na, Sundowns co-head coach Manqoba Mngqithi likened the player to a member of the military force, saying the Namibian’s energy levels are consistently high.

“Shalulile is one of the rare breeds. You wish for the kind of money that is paid to our players they would have the same mentality and professionalism in terms of their work because I regard him as a soldier; he runs the whole 90 minutes non-stop.

“He can press the back four and it is very rare to find someone who can press everybody and still give you the same energy going forward,” Mngqithi said.

‘One of the best buys’

“For me, he is one of the best buys that we got this season. But I must say that most of the guys whom we brought in are really coming in handy. Mothobi Mvala is showing his class now, he is beginning to really show how much of a grafter he is. “There are many others - Kermit Erasmus has been instrumental as well so I wouldn’t want to single him out. I believe we have got a very big bunch of committed players, but Peter, of course, has got some rare characteristics and his intensity is unbelievable,” the coach said.