Namibia have reduced the number of players in their squad from 28 to 23 for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, the country’s football association said on Thursday.
The squad, which has been preparing in Ghana this week, was submitted to the African confederation before Wednesday’s deadline.
11 players have returned from the squad when Namibia last featured at the finals in Egypt in 2019.
It includes Peter Shalulile, highest scorer with South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, and fullback Ryan Nyambe, who has played for Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic before joining Derby County this season.
It will be Namibia’s fourth appearance at the finals, where they have yet to win a game.
“Before we think of outplaying our opponents, we have to outplay our previous performances in the tournament. AFCON is our World Cup and our aim is to leave a mark,” said coach Collin Benjamin.
Namibia will face Tunisia, South Africa and Mali in their three Group E games at the tournament in the Ivory Coast, which begins next weekend.
They will also play a friendly international against Ghana in Kumasi on Friday.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Loydt Kazapua (Chippa United), Edward Maova (Pretoria Callies), Kamainjanda Ndisiro (African Stars)
Defenders: Kennedy Amutenya (Gaborone United), Ananias Gebhardt (Baroka), Charles Hambira (African Stars), Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu), Denzil Haoseb (Khomas Nampol), Lubeni Haukongo (Cape Town Spurs), Ivan Kamberipa (Orapa United), Ryan Nyambe (Derby County), Aprocius Petrus (Liria Prizren)
Midfielders: Uetuuru Kambato (African Stars), Ngero Katua (UNAM), Marcel Papama, Wendell Rudath (both Jwaneng Galaxy), Petrus Shitembi (Kuching City), Prins Tjiueza (Liria Prizren)
Forwards: Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates), Absalom Iimbondi (Khomas Nampol), Joslin Kamatuka (Maritzburg United), Bethuel Muzeu (Black Leopards), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)