Petrus Shitembi

Petrus Shitembi
Shitembi with Kuching City in 2025
Personal information
Full name Petrus Shitembi
Date of birth (1992-05-11) 11 May 1992
Place of birth Rundu, Namibia
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Kuching City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2013 Rundu Chiefs
2013–2014 University of Pretoria 3 (0)
2014–2014 AmaZulu 1 (0)
2014–2015 Ashanti Gold 4 (0)
2015–2017 AmaZulu 25 (3)
2017 Stellenbosch 3 (1)
2017–2019 Tura Magic 0 (0)
2019 Lusaka Dynamos
2020 Sabah 10 (0)
2021–2022 Terengganu 19 (1)
2023– Kuching City 68 (9)
International career
2010–2024 Namibia 79 (4)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18 August 2026

Petrus Shitembi (born 11 May 1992) is a Namibian footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Malaysian Super League club Kuching City, and the Namibia national team.[1]

Shitembi is left-footed and has been nicknamed The Dancing Shoes for his ability to shake off defenders and create chances in front of goal.[2][3][4][5][6]

Club career

South Africa

On 24 January 2013, he signed a three-year contract with South African National First Division team University of Pretoria[7]

Zambia

On 1 February 2019, he joined Zambian club Lusaka Dynamos Football Club.[8] He left the club in the summer of 2019 and trialled with German club SpVgg Greuther Fürth, where he scored in a friendly game against Würzburger Kickers in September 2019.[9]

Malaysia

Sabah

On 5 February 2020, moving outside of Africa for the first time in his career, Shitembi joined Malaysia Super League side Sabah on a free transfer. Although Shitembi only played a total of 900 minutes for the club, his impact on the team was praised by pundits, with FELDA United manager Nidzam Jamil describing Shitembi as the "destroyer of teams" after a 1-3 loss against Sabah.[10]

Terengganu

On 28 December 2020, Shitembi signed for Terengganu and was given the number 19 shirt number.[2][11]

In March 2021, during the pre-season preparations of the delayed 2021 Malaysia Super League season, Shitembi injured his ACL, which required him to undergo rehabilitation and recovery for the entirety of the season.[12] To gain match fitness, Shitembi made his Terengganu debut for the reserve team Terengganu II in a Malaysia Premier League match against Perak, where he scored a goal in a 3-0 win.[4]

In his first season fit playing for Terengganu, Shitembi managed to score 1 goal and provide 10 assists in 14 games. He also played an instrumental role in creating Terengganu's only goal in their 1-0 second round cup tie against Kedah FA.[13]

Kuching City

On 1 August 2023, Shitembi joined Borneo side Kuching City on a free transfer.[14] The move was seen as a surprise by many, as when Shitembi joined, Kuching City were last in the league, having only seven points from 18 games.[15]

In the 2024-25 season, by January, Shitembi had already played 10 league games and 3 Malaysia Cup matches. Recognised as a crucial piece in manager Aidil Sharin Sahak's tactics, on 11 January 2025, he scored his second goal of the season in a 2-0 league win against PDRM, tripping a defender with a deft flick, before unleashing a beautiful left-footed finish into the back of the net.[6]

On 14 February 2026, Shitembi assisted twice in a 3-1 second-leg quarter-final Malaysia Cup win against DPMM.[16] In the semi-finals, Shitembi unleashed a weak-footed, long-range effort to score the only goal in a 1-0 win against Selangor. With one goal and three assists in six Malaysia Cup games, his goal set Kuching City through to the final of the Malaysia Cup as they won 2-1 on aggregate.[17]

Shitembi departed the club upon the expiration of his contract on 15 July 2026. He left the club as one of the most pivotal players in Kuching City's historic campaign, as he contributed substantially to reaching the 2025–26 Malaysia Cup final, achieving 2nd place in the Malaysia Super League, and qualifying for the AFC Champions League Two for the first time in the club's history.[18]

However, less than a month later, on 1 August 2026, Shitembi rejoined Kuching City on a one-year contract.[19]

International career

Shitembi progressed through Namibia's youth national teams before making his senior international debut within four years.

In 2012, he featured during Namibia's tour of Germany, scoring twice in a 3–1 victory over SV Herbern. He also appeared in a friendly match against Morocco on 12 January 2013.

International goals

Scores and results list Namibia's goal tally first.[20]
NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.14 November 2012Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, Rwanda Rwanda2–22–2Friendly
2.6 July 2013Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka, Zambia Mauritius1–02–12013 COSAFA Cup
3.13 October 2018Estádio do Zimpeto, Maputo, Mozambique Mozambique1–12–12019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

Kuching City

References

  1. ↑ "Petrus Shitembi, Latest News & Player Profile | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Petrus Shitembi pemain import pertama diumum TFC". sinarharian.com.my (in Malay). 28 December 2020.
  3. ↑ T. AVINESHWARAN (1 June 2026). "One last dance for Kuching City's Shitembi?". The Star.
  4. 1 2 "'Dancing Shoes' Shitembi out to regain his rhythm after a year out". The Star. 31 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "'Dancing Shoes' lining up Cats for glory". The Star. 6 November 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Beware, Petrus has put on his dancing shoes again". The Star. 14 January 2025.
  7. ↑ "AMATUKS SIGN SHITEMBI | University Of Pretoria Football Club". Amatuks.co.za. 24 January 2013. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  8. ↑ Petrus Joins Lusaka Dynamos Shitembi joins Lusaka Dynamos, namibian.com.na, 7 February 2019
  9. ↑ Petrus Shitembi Trial In German With Fürth FC Archived 16 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine, sportfeedo.com, 24 September 2019
  10. ↑ Willie Jude (24 March 2020). "Shitembi gembira sarung jersi Sabah" (in Malay). Stadium Astro. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  11. ↑ Malik Muhamad. "Shitembi sudah 'mendarat' sebelum sertai TFC". Harian Metro (in Malay).
  12. ↑ "Shitembi on the mend". The Namibian. 30 June 2021.
  13. ↑ T. AVINESHWARAN (12 July 2022). "Shitembi making an impression as he weaves his magic". The Star.
  14. ↑ Timoteus, Silas (21 April 2026). "Shitembi sends Kuching to the final". The Namibian.
  15. ↑ T. AVINESHWARAN (19 August 2023). "Kuching City's Shitembi hopes team can overturn deficit against Sabah". The Star.
  16. ↑ T. AVINESHWARAN (14 February 2026). "Cats roar into last four with commanding win over Brunei". The Star.
  17. ↑ T. AVINESHWARAN (20 April 2026). "Petrus gets it right". The Star.
  18. ↑ T. AVINESHWARAN (1 June 2026). "One last dance for Kuching City's Shitembi?". The Star.
  19. ↑ "'Dancing Shoes' adapts to new rhythm after partners' exit". The Star. 7 August 2026.
  20. ↑ "Shitembi, Petrus". National Football Teams. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
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