The absence of Peter Shalulile as a result of a niggling injury has left the coach of Brave Warriors, Ricardo Mannetti with room for permutation in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Gambia.

As qualification for Russia 2018 takes centre stage, the Brave Warriors will be hoping to start their quest for their first ever FIFA World Cup qualification on a strong footing when they visit Gambia on 9 October and then host them on 13 October in Windhoek.

However, with Mannetti due to announce his squad for the fixture on Thursday morning, Shalulile of Highlands Park in the South Africa First Division revealed that he will miss the first leg, although he is hopeful tof featuring in the second leg in Windhoek on Tuesday, 13 October at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

"I got injured on Saturday in a league match for my club against African Warriors. I received a knock to my left ankle and I was at the physiotherapist today (Tuesday) and he told me I will be out for 10 days," said the devastated former Tura Magic playmaker.

Shalulile, who was a thorn in the flesh of the Senegalese rearguard when the two sides met in Windhoek earlier this month in their 2017 Afcon qualifier said that he would have loved to feature for his country, but will miss the clash.

"I'm very sad about this injury, but now I need to focus on getting better and maybe feature in the second leg. It won't be easy but depending on how I recover I want to feature. Playing for my country is special and if I'm available I would be ready to play," Shalulile said.

Mannetti will have to do without Shalulile as well as Free State Stars defender Da Costa Angula who has been ruled out for about three months after tearing Achilles tendons in his left foot.

"I'm going to see the doctor on 22 October again but I feel much better now and have started walking with a moon boot," he said. - nfa.org.na