Peter Shalulile has more reason to enjoy the moment of participation in the World Cup when he is on his way to Mamelodi Sundowns against Ulsan HD at the Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old will write history by becoming the first player from Namibia who participates in a senior FIFA tournament, in a match that opposes the triple reigning K League champions.
Shalulile played in two Africa heads of Nations and captain the side who beat 1-0 with 1-0 last year when De Brave Warriors won their first game in the competition.
“It is a huge achievement and wishes that many more Namibians reach that stage because it is possible,” he told FIFA.
The Sundowns are in group F and will also be confronted with Bundesliga Side Borussia Dortmund before their last group match against the Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense.
“(Namibians are) excited, waiting for that day where it will start, sit in their houses, glued on the TV screens, waiting to see their boy doing well in FIFA (club) World Cup,” he added.
Organizers claim that the club World Cup is “the most inclusive in worldwide football and brings together the best talents of every continent”, and the increased number of club teams in the competition offers the chance for players as Shalulile to compete for the first time in a large FIFA tournament.
Of the 81 countries with players in the competition, 22 never participated in a World Cup.
Twelve of these teams are from Africa.
Among them is Gabon International Denis Bouanga who plays for Los Angeles FC and scored the winning goal about Club America while booking the last place in the tournament.
“For me it was a magical moment and the best goal in my career in terms of emotions. When I saw the ball entering, I had goosebumps,” he told FIFA.
“I am very proud to participate in this big tournament, which brings together the 32 best clubs in the world.
“For me, however, it was not a matter of qualifying. It was a final. We won it and it's great for Los Angeles.”
Bouanga played the full 90 minutes of their opening group D match against Chelsea on Monday, with the blues that played a 2-0 win.
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