They submitted a final squad list to the African confederation before yesterday’s deadline, with 11 players returning from the squad when Namibia last competed at the finals in Egypt in 2019.

It includes Peter Shalulile, top scorer with South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, and full-back Ryan Nyambe, who grew up in England and played at 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 match.

“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 in a statement.

Namibia take on Tunisia, South Africa, and Mali in their three Group E matches at the tournament in the Ivory Coast, which kicks off next weekend.

They have a friendly international against Ghana in Kumasi tomorrow.

Namibia 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 (Jwaneng Galaxy), Wendell Rudath (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)