Peter Shalulile has every reason to relish participating in the Club World Cup as he steps onto the pitch for Mamelodi Sundowns against Ulsan Hyundai at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old is set to make history as the first player from Namibia to partake in a senior FIFA tournament, facing off against the reigning K League champions for the third consecutive time.
Shalulile has represented his country at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and led the Brave Warriors to victory over Tunisia with a 1-0 scoreline last year, marking Namibia’s inaugural win in the competition.
“It’s a tremendous achievement, and I hope to inspire many more Namibians to reach this level – it is indeed possible,” he expressed to FIFA.
Competing in Group F, Sundowns will also battle Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund before concluding their group stage with a match against Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense.
“The excitement among Namibians is palpable; they’re eagerly awaiting the day it all kicks off, glued to their TVs, cheering for their boy doing well in the FIFA Club World Cup,” he added.
According to the organisers, this Club World Cup is “the most inclusive in global football, uniting the finest talents from all corners of the globe,” providing opportunities for players like Shalulile to compete in a major FIFA tournament for the first time due to the larger number of club teams involved.
Out of the 81 nations represented in the tournament, 22 have never made an appearance at a World Cup.
Among these are twelve teams from Africa.
Notably, Gabon international Denis Bouanga plays for Los Angeles FC and scored the decisive goal against Club America, securing their place in the tournament.
“That was a magical moment for me, without a doubt the best goal of my career in terms of emotions. When the ball hit the net, I felt goosebumps,” he told FIFA.
“I take immense pride in participating in this prestigious tournament, which showcases the 32 best clubs in the world.
“However, for me, it wasn’t just about qualifying in a tight competition; it felt like a final. We triumphed, and it’s a fantastic achievement for Los Angeles.”
Bouanga played the full 90 minutes in their opening Group D match against Chelsea on Monday, where the Blues secured a 2-0 victory.
_______________________________________________
Sponsored:
FIFA Club World Cup – Enjoy every game for free, exclusively on DAZN.
Click here to start streaming.
_______________________________________________
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage:Â SportArena.com.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
