Exclusive: Why Shalulile Chose Yanga Over F…

Peter Shalulile during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match between Namibia and Equatorial Guinea in March 2025. Photo: Backpage Pix

Peter Shalulile’s agent, Jakes Amaning, has revealed that the Namibian striker turned down several lucrative offers before deciding that Tanzanian giants Young Africans offered the complete package for the next chapter of his career.

Shalulile is set to arrive in Tanzania as a free agent after officially parting ways with Mamelodi Sundowns at the end of June, bringing to a close a remarkable six-year spell at Chloorkop in which he scored 136 goals in all competitions and established himself as one of the most prolific forwards on the continent.

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Speaking exclusively to the Siya crew, Amaning explained that Yanga were not initially among the frontrunners for the striker’s signature.

“Peter had been available on the market for some time and we received several serious offers. We eventually narrowed it down to about four clubs. There was interest from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya and Dubai. At the beginning, Yanga were not even part of the conversation,” Amaning told the Siya crew.

According to the experienced intermediary, the priority was not simply finding another club, but identifying one that could provide long-term stability while matching the player’s ambitions.

“After everything Peter achieved at Sundowns, we wanted a club that could offer him peace of mind. We were looking for a long-term contract so that he could have security for the next few years, while also recognising his value because Peter remains one of the best strikers on the continent.

“We considered every offer carefully. Some clubs were offering one-year contracts, others two years, but we looked at the complete picture.”

Amaning revealed that Young Africans’ proposal arrived at the perfect moment.

“At the last minute, Yanga came in with an offer that Peter simply could not refuse. They ticked every box. They offered him the contract he wanted, they met his financial expectations, and they gave him the opportunity to join a club that is consistently competing for league titles and the CAF Champions League.

“When you look at what Yanga have achieved in recent years and the direction they are going, we felt Peter could continue competing at the highest level.”

The agent also believes the atmosphere surrounding the Tanzanian champions will suit the Namibian international perfectly.

“Yanga is one of the biggest clubs on the continent. Their supporters fill stadiums and they are incredibly passionate about their team. Peter is someone who enjoys that connection with supporters, so we believe it is a perfect fit.”

Amaning also credited Young Africans president Hersi Said for playing a significant role in convincing them that the move was the right one.

“The president was also very influential throughout the process. From the very first conversations, he showed how much the club wanted Peter. He shared his vision for the club, explained where they see Peter fitting into their project, and made us feel that this wasn’t just another signing for them.

“When you have a club president personally involved and making you feel valued, it gives you confidence that the player is joining a professional environment where everyone is working towards the same goals. That definitely played a big part in our decision.”

Another decisive factor was the presence of head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, who worked closely with Shalulile during their successful spell together at Sundowns.

“Coach Manqoba knows Peter inside out. They achieved so much together at Sundowns and he made it clear that he wanted him at Yanga. He also spoke to the club about creating the right environment for Peter to succeed, and that gave us even more confidence that this was the right move.”

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Amaning believes the move also reflects the growing stature of Tanzanian football.

“People need to realise that football in Tanzania has grown tremendously. Clubs like Yanga and Simba are operating at a very high level. They have resources, passionate supporters, top coaches like Steve Barker and the ambition to compete on the continent. We believe Peter has joined a club where he can continue writing his success story.”

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix 

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