‘Dancing Shoes’ Shitembi out to regain his rhythm after a year out

Strutting his stuff again: Petrus Shitembi has recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

PETALING JAYA: Petrus Shitembi could not put on his ‘’dancing shoes’’ for Terengganu for the whole of last season due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

The midfielder nicknamed the Dancing Shoes had to spend the year focusing on recovery and rehabilitation.

But the Namibian international has now fully recovered, and is regaining his fitness and form by playing for Terengganu II in the Premier League.

In his first start after more than a year, he helped the east coast side’s feeder team beat Perak 3-0, even scoring one of the goals.

He hopes that display will lead to even more impressive ones that will catch the eye of Terengganu coach Nafuzi Zain and help him regain his spot in the Super League side.

“It gives me great joy to be on the pitch again.

“To score a goal after a year out is really something. But it’s still a long journey for me to get back to full fitness,’’ said the 29-year-old Shitembi.

He is also aware that the competition in midfield for the first team is stiff due to the emergence of Bahraini Habib Haroon, who is now playing a key role for Terengganu.

“There’re more quality players now in the side and I have my work cut out to win a spot. But that only makes my motivation stronger.’’