NAMIBIAN international forward Peter Shalulile has downplayed reported interest from South African Premiership champions-elect Mamelodi Sundowns.
On Tuesday, Soccer Laduma reported that the high-flying Pretoria-based club have identified the hard-running Shalulile as a key transfer target.
The publication claims that a well-placed source has confirmed that Sundowns have been following the Highlands Park player ‘s progress, and are keen to sign him.
Shalulile has been in outstanding for Highlands under Allan Freese in his first season in South Africa with the National First Division outfit.
The Namibian is said to have impressed for the NFD campaigners in their recent Nedbank Cup Last-32 game against Sundowns.
The winger and his teammates forced the game into optional time against their star-studded opponents from Chloorkop, only to lose 1-0 to a wonder goal from Keagan Dolly during the entertaining encounter at the Makhulong Stadium.
“I have nothing to say about that. I see it in the newspapers,” Shalulile told The Namibian Sport yesterday.
“Well, it ‘s not only me, the whole Highlands team are being monitored,” he added.
Shalulile signed a three-year contract with Highlands in August last year, meaning Sundowns will be expected to put up a significant transfer fee to add the talented player to Pitso Mosimane’s star-studded squad next season.
A fullback who was converted into a forward only last year, Shalulile scored in consecutive games in the 2-0 win over Thanda Royal Zulu, as well as against Royal Eagles in the 2-1 victory during Highlands’ most recent NFD matches to take his tally to five league goals.
Should the move materialise, the 23-year-old will become only the third Namibian to play for Sundowns, following in the footsteps of goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo and winger Mohale Naruseb.
Kanalelo made 54 appearances in a successful spell at the Chloorkop outfit between 1997–2005, while Naruseb enjoyed mixed spells between 2001 and 2003.
Shalulile was spotted by Highlands after impressing for the Brave Warriors during their Cosafa Cup triumph in South Africa last year. He was also a member of the under-19 Namibian squad (Komesho FC) which won the Metropolitan u19 Premier Cup in Cape Town in 2011.
The team was coached by former Santos midfielder Ricardo Mannetti, who is now the head coach of Namibia ‘s senior men ‘s national team.
Shalulile was also the recipient of the Best Young Player of the Season award at the Namibian Premier League awards for his impressive performances for Tura Magic before he signed for Highlands.
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